UK worker accused of defrauding government of £284,613 by holding five jobs at once

A 55-year-old British civil servant has appeared in court accused of fraudulently earning nearly £350,000 while holding five full-time government jobs simultaneously.

According to BBC News, Kashim Chowdhury allegedly used sick notes, remote working arrangements and make-up to conceal his overlapping employment between February 2020 and September 2023.

Prosecutors told Southwark Crown Court that Chowdhury worked for Tower Hamlets Council, the Home Office, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the UK Health Security Agency and the Department of Health and Social Care.

The court heard that Chowdhury allegedly applied white make-up to his face during a video meeting with his manager to appear unwell.

However, the make-up reportedly began peeling from his forehead, exposing his natural skin.

Prosecutor Lucy Organ told jurors: “This almost laughable incident demonstrates, we say, quite how far the defendant was willing to go in his deceit.”

Prosecutors alleged that Chowdhury exploited remote working arrangements introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming he needed to care for his sick mother.

His workload reportedly became difficult to manage, affecting his performance across the organisations.

The court also heard that he submitted sick notes to some employers but withheld them from others.

The alleged fraud was uncovered after the National Fraud Initiative alerted government officials to irregularities in his employment records.

Chowdhury faces nine fraud charges and denies acting dishonestly or intending to make financial gains through deception.

The trial remains ongoing, with jurors expected to consider evidence concerning his employment arrangements and alleged misrepresentations to employers.