Fraudster assumes friend's identity to secure bank loan

A 33-year-old woman who managed to fool the police, the identity card department and a commercial bank was yesterday given a suspended jail term for fraud.

Mary Magdalena Sultana wore a black wig and glasses and went to a police station to falsely report that she had lost her identity card. When asked for the number she gave the police the number and particulars of a good friend of hers, police sources said.

Armed with the police report, she then proceeded to the identity card department where another card in her friend's name but bearing her photo, in disguise, was issued.

Shortly afterwards, she went to HSBC and applied for a €18,600 loan and because her friend had a bank account there, the loan was granted, the sources said.

It was only after three months, during which time the bank did not receive any repayments, that they began to suspect something was wrong. They called in the police, who realised what had happened.

Ms Sultana appeared in court with very long blonde hair and immediately admitted to the charges of defrauding the bank and making a false declaration.

Defence lawyer José Herrera asked Magistrate Gabriella Vella to hand down a suspended jail term in view of the accused's early admission.

Acceding to the request, the magistrate handed down a two-year jail term suspended for four years and gave Ms Sultana six months to repay the bank.