Scammer facing jail after fleecing Dragons’ Den stars Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis for £33,000
The TV tycoons were hit by a bent accountant forging cheques over two-month fraud at their firm Red Letter Days
DRAGONS’ Den stars Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis lost nearly £33,000 in a scam.
The tycoons who use the TV show catchphrase “I’m out” were hit by a bent accountant forging cheques at their firm Red Letter Days.
Finance officer Akilan Selvathiravam, 34, was facing jail last night after admitting a two-month fraud.
A source said: “Peter and Theo are business giants known for their impeccable standards and ethics.
“They will be hugely embarrassed this happened at one of their companies.”
Married dad-of-one Selvathiravam looked after cheques and cash in the safe at the firm’s HQ in Southgate, North London.
Prosecutor Linda Shamel told Wood Green crown court: “He falsified cheques and signatures, claiming they were corporate refunds and then cashed them.
“There were a large number falsified. He admitted doing it because he had a gambling addiction.”
Judge Joanna Greenberg QC warned him: “This was a serious offence, a breach of trust over considerable time. Custody is the most likely outcome.”
Selvathiravam, of Kingsbury, North West London, was bailed until August 23 for probation reports.
The £22million turnover firm, founded by former Dragon Rachel Elnaugh, 52, offers “experience days”.
Theo, 57, no longer on the BBC2 show, and Peter, 51, bought it out of administration amid cash woes.
Barclays Bank compensated them over the scam.