“Bubbly” Bank Employee Jailed for £500,000 Fraud Scheme Targeting Friends and Family

Annabelle Allan was a “bubbly and enthusiastic” employee with Lloyds Bank, but she used this role as “cover” to those closest to her – including her own brother – in a con.

Annabelle Allan, a 29-year-old mother of two, exploited her position at Lloyds Bank to scam her friends and family out of nearly £500,000. Allan used “sophisticated” methods to deceive her victims, including her own brother, whom she had previously burdened with personal loans taken out in his name without his knowledge, told The Sun.

Between 2017 and 2019, Allan, who had a “thirst for knowledge” but an “addiction to money,” worked in an IT role at a Lloyds Bank data center. During this time, she devised a “detailed and convincing” fake share scheme, convincing family, friends, and acquaintances to invest.

Allan managed to obtain just under £500,000 through the scam, but almost £330,000 was “recycled” back to investors. Some victims were reimbursed by Lloyds Bank, but there remains an unaccounted sum of £167,796.40. She forged signatures and sent fake letters purportedly from the police or solicitors to maintain the ruse.

Lloyds Bank investigated Allan’s activities in early 2019, leading to her suspension and eventual dismissal four months later. On Tuesday last week, Allan was sentenced to four years in prison at Bradford Crown Court after admitting to fraud. Her barrister, Recorder Bryan Cox KC, explained that Allan fell into a “vicious cycle of debt” after taking out a payday loan at 18. However, Mr. Cox KC acknowledged that Allan had been “tricking people and misleading them to part with substantial sums of money” two years into her employment with Lloyds Bank.

Marte Alnaes, prosecuting, detailed Allan’s offenses, starting with personal loans taken out in her brother’s name, resulting in over £16,600 of debt and a county court judgment against him. Allan’s brother spent months clearing his name and supported the police in prosecuting her, reported by Yorkshire Live.

Allan’s LinkedIn profile paints a picture of a hardworking, enthusiastic individual with a “thirst for knowledge.” She described herself as “very good at dealing with customers” and “easy to get along with.” Her profile highlighted her love for learning new skills and hobbies like dancing, skiing, and motorbiking.

Reflecting on her aspirations, Allan wrote, “I often get asked where I would like to be in 5-10 years time and honestly I don’t have an answer. The only answer I am sure of is that it will be in IT.” Clearly, she did not foresee a prison sentence in her future.

The case has highlighted the importance of vigilance and trust within personal and professional relationships, especially in financial matters. Allan’s actions have left a lasting impact on those she deceived, underscoring the devastating effects of fraud.