This madness has to stop, read on for the background of this case.
On 11 May 2020 Azhar Ali Shafiq (Mr Shafiq) caused Buy1248 Ltd (Buy1248) to apply for a Bounce Back Loan (“BBL”) of 50,000 using overstated turnover figures, which resulted in Buy1248 obtaining a BBL that was £47,124 more than it was entitled to.
In that:
- Under the BBL scheme businesses could apply for a loan of between £2,000 and £50,000 subject to a maximum of up to 25% of turnover.
- The turnover figure was self-certified by the applicant.
- The turnover figure required was that for the calendar year 2019 or where a business was established after 1 January 2019 it is their estimated turnover.
- Buy1248 was incorporated on 10 May 2019.
- Mr Shafiq stated it commenced trading on the same date.
- Therefore estimated turnover for the first 12 months of trading was required.
- On 11 May 2020, Mr Shafiq applied for a BBL of £50,000 on behalf of Buy1248 declaring that its turnover was £300,000.
- An analysis of bank statements from 11 May 2019 to 10 May 2020 showed bank income (excluding JRS payments) totalled £11,502.
- Buy1248 received the BBL funds of £50,000 on 12 May 2020.
- Total liabilities at liquidation amount to £70,079 of which £43,717 relates to the amount owed in respect of the BBL.