In 2015, the University became aware of a suspected fraud with an estimated loss of £3 million. A full investigation was launched at the time of the discovery, which confirmed the University may have been a victim of fraud. The University alerted Police Scotland and this resulted in criminal proceedings, brought by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, against a former University employee and an individual who was employed as an accounts manager at a supply company.
The accused former employee has since died and no other University employees have been implicated in the alleged fraud. The fraud highlighted issues with our procurement and financial approvals processes that were corrected at the time. The University has supported the police investigation throughout and the case was brought to trial in the week commencing 22 April 2024.
The University thanks Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for their handling of this case.
Read the Police Scotland statement