A Scot who was allegedly part of a multibillion fraud against the British taxpayer and may have helped to fund Osama bin Laden’s terrorist operations. Imran “Immy” Hussain, 41, was believed to be the leader of a Scottish gang that extracted £300m of taxpayers’ money through “carousel” frauds that involved the bogus import and export of high-value items such as mobile phones and computer chips.
The gang’s activities are believed to have been part of a larger network run by British Asians, who mounted VAT and benefit frauds over two decades. One gang is alleged to have sent 1% of the total gains, £80m, to al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, funding madrasahs, as well as training camps and other terrorist activities, according to leaked intelligence files but there is no evidence that Hussain knew, or suspected, that proceeds of his alleged crimes may ultimately have funded terrorism.
Hussain, who grew up in an affluent Glasgow suburb, is believed to be in Pakistan where he fled in 2007, shortly before he was due to be arrested. In 2012, he was considering a plea bargain about standing trial in England. He met Paul McBride QC and the human rights lawyer, Aamer Anwar, in Lahore but talks collapsed when McBride died of a suspected heart attack in his hotel room.
A CPS spokesman said: “Imran Hussain is the main principal in Operation Vex. He is wanted and there is a domestic warrant outstanding for him.” Hussain could not be contacted.
