Norfolk County Council Trading Standards has successfully prosecuted Katie Hope and Scott Wolfe for fraudulent trading, forgery and money laundering.
The Defendants, through their firm “International Distance College”, had duped over 900 people into paying for qualifications that did not exist. The Defendants had claimed that the courses they were offering were expertly written and internationally recognised but the course material was actually copied from other providers without permission and was not internationally recognised. Funds of approximately £225,000 were obtained through the criminal activity.
The convictions are the result of a two year investigation and came as the Defendants entered guilty pleas ahead of a 4 week trial listed for April. The Defendants will be sentenced in April.
Cameron Crowe acted for Norfolk County Council Trading Standards.