A Romanian tourist has been jailed after he agreed to take part in a plan to open a bank account in a false name.
He was caught when staff at Barclays in Newton Abbot became suspicious and a check showed that banks had been alerted to the possible use of the false identity.
A bank clerk kept Manolescu talking while colleagues called the police who arrested him with the forged document and fake utility bills which carried an address in Gabriel’s Wharf, Exeter.
Manolescu, aged 25, of Richmond Court, Exeter, admitted having a false identity document for an improper purpose and was jailed for six months by Judge Michael Cullum at Exeter Crown Court.
He told him: ’Your intention was to open a bank account. The document was not used to get around immigration controls or enter the country illegally.
’Cases of this sort are serious because this conduct encourages false and fraudulent documents to be used by criminals and furthers criminal networks. That is why custody is inevitable.
Miss Janice Eagles, prosecuting, said Manolescu arrived at Luton Airport on a flight from Bucharest on August 11 and was arrested four days later in Newton Abbot.
She said he tried to open accounts at Natwest and HSBC but was given appointment for later dates and moved on to Barclays, who were able to open one immediately.
Miss Eagles said: ’He produced the identity card in the name of Moritz Bergmann, a German national, but which bore the photograph of this defendant.
’He presented as proof of residence what appeared to be photocopies of utility and council tax bills in Bergmann’s name and an address at Gabriels Wharf, Exeter.
’The member of bank staff was suspicious and recalled seeing an e-mail alert about an identity card in Bergmann’s name and checked with a manager.
’The manager called the police while the member of staff kept Manolescu talking until they arrived. After his arrest he told police his full name.’
He said he was staying with friends in Exeter and was introduced to a man who offered him £300 to take part in the scam. He took his photo and gave him the forged documents the next day.
Manolescu told police he did not know the man’s name or for what purpose the bank account was to be used.
Miss Emily Pitts, mitigating, said Manolescu came to Britain to make a new start after breaking up with his partner and was staying with friends in Exeter.
She said: ’He has been a fool and he is very ashamed to find himself in this situation. The prospect of £300 proved too much for him to resist. He has lost his chance to make a fresh start.
’He has no criminal convictions her or in Romania and now he finds himself in prison. He is desperately remorseful.’