**Headline:**
“Man Jailed for £40,000 Fraud Using Salary Sacrifice Scheme”
**News Story:**
A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to two years and seven months in prison after using salary sacrifice schemes to defraud organisations across the country. Joshua Murrell, from Kingsway, Oldbury, orchestrated the scam which came to light in January last year when a company reported several staff reward accounts had been hacked.
The investigation revealed that email addresses linked to the accounts had been changed to disposable addresses, all accessed from the same IP address traced to Murrell’s home in Kingswinford. A subsequent raid led to his arrest and the seizure of his mobile and laptop.
Further analysis uncovered voice notes between Murrell and his accomplice, Dominic Smith, 24, discussing their fraudulent activities. The pair had exploited Cycle2Work schemes and ordered high-value items, including Xbox games and iPhones, amassing more than £40,000 through their scheme.
Murrell and Smith were charged with conspiracy to defraud, fraud by false representation, and possession of articles for use in fraud. Both admitted to the charges. While Murrell received a custodial sentence, Smith, from Dudley, was handed a two-year suspended sentence.
Detective Constable Louise Watt from the Regional Organised Crime Unit said: “Murrell was the brains of the operation with Smith working as a sidekick, trying to pocket thousands of pounds from large companies. Thanks to the diligent work of our officers, both men have been brought to justice.”