A heartbreaking incident has unfolded in Cardiff, as a 35-year-old man named Abdul Quasem appeared in Cardiff Crown Court for defrauding his 95-year-old grandmother, Hindah Al-Maflehi, of a staggering £13,675. Abdul Quasem, a jobless father of four, manipulated his position of trust as the power of attorney over his grandmother’s financial and health affairs to deceive her. The vulnerable widow, who speaks no English, was away visiting relatives in Yemen when some of the fraudulent activities took place, leaving her stranded and in need of financial assistance to return home to Cardiff. Upon her return in November 2020, she discovered the betrayal of her own grandson and reported the matter to the authorities.
The court proceedings unveiled the despicable actions of Quasem, who not only withdrew money from his grandmother’s accounts but also deceived her about a lump sum payment from her late husband’s pension. He even stooped to the low of falsely informing the Department of Work and Pensions about his grandmother’s demise to gain illicit financial benefits. The impact of Quasem’s actions on his grandmother was profound, as she expressed her deep hurt and sense of betrayal in court. She revealed that she would have willingly supported him if he had just asked for help, as she considered him not only her grandson but also her son.
In a shocking turn of events, Quasem denied his relationship with his grandmother and tried to evade responsibility for his actions. The court learned that Quasem had obtained lasting power of attorney over his grandmother’s affairs in 2019, giving him access to her TSB bank account. Over time, he perpetrated a series of fraudulent acts, misreporting the sum of a pension payment and misappropriating funds for personal use, leading to a total fraud amount of over £13,000. Despite facing five counts of fraud, Quasem managed to avoid a custodial sentence, with the judge imposing a suspended prison term of 18 months and ordering him to repay £3,000 to his grandmother at a rate of £100 per month.
During the sentencing, Judge Kember underscored the gravity of Quasem’s actions, emphasising how he had targeted his own vulnerable grandmother for financial gain. As part of the sentencing conditions, Quasem was also issued a restraining order preventing him from contacting his grandmother for the next six years. Judge Kember firmly warned Quasem that any breach of these restrictions would result in his reappearance before the court. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, from financial exploitation and abuse within families.
Quasem’s defence counsel highlighted his difficult upbringing and current family responsibilities, including caring for his partner’s child and reconciling with his own children. The defence also noted that Quasem was receiving treatment for mental health issues and managing his partner’s serious illness. Despite these challenges, the court held Quasem accountable for his actions and stressed the need for restitution to his grandmother. The tragic tale of Abdul Quasem and his grandmother sheds light on the intricate dynamics of familial trust and the devastating impact of financial exploitation on vulnerable individuals, urging for greater vigilance and protection for those most at risk in society.