Pension fraud suspect extradited to UK in criminal case

Regulator alleges 245 savers were persuaded to transfer their savings totalling £13.7m into 11 schemes

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A British man has been extradited from Spain in connection with a pension fraud prosecution brought by The Pensions Regulator (TPR).

Alan Barratt was arrested in Alicante, Spain, under a European Arrest Warrant issued by Westminster magistrates’ court and then extradited to the UK.

This is the first time TPR has worked with the police to secure the extradition of a suspect, the regulator said.

Barratt appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court on 20 March 2021 where he was released on conditional bail, which requires him to remain in the UK and surrender his passport.

The case was adjourned until 13 April 2021 at Westminster magistrates’ court when it is expected to be sent to the crown court.

Transfer

He will appear alongside two other people who have also been charged by TPR with fraud by “abuse of position arising from their roles as trustees of pension schemes”.

TPR alleges “that between 2012 and 2014, 245 savers were persuaded to transfer their pension savings totalling £13.7m ($19m, €15.9m) into 11 pension schemes, controlled by the defendants”.

Barratt’s co-defendants are Susan Dalton and Julian Hanson.

Dalton first appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court on 8 January 2021 having been arrested on warrant. Hanson appeared on summons on 29 January 2021.

None of the defendants have entered a plea.