19-month prison sentence for COVID-19 business loan fraud
A man who applied for COVID Bounce Back Loans using fake business names and fake account details has been sentenced to 19 months in prison at Bristol Crown Court.
Attila Kovacs, 45, of Gloucester Road, was investigated by Bristol Trading Standards after they discovered evidence during a different investigation of false loan applications totalling £96,500.
The evidence was uncovered when investigating Kovacs for the illegal importation and sale of dogs.
The government-backed loans were intended to provide support to small and medium sized businesses who were affected by the pandemic. Rules of the loan scheme made it clear to applicants that they must confirm they were running a business.
In May and June 2020, Kovacs applied for the Covid Bounce Back Loans with false business names and account details. He used the identity of a former acquaintance to apply for the loan and spent the money on personal items such as clothes, furniture, and cash withdrawals. Kovacs pled guilty to two offences under the Fraud Act 2006.
Cllr Andrew Brown, Chair of the Economy and Skills committee, said: “Bristol City Council takes fraudulent activity very seriously and we will continue to take action when presented with evidence which shows fraud has taken place. These actions are a blatant abuse of the system which was designed to support businesses and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
