Dragons’ Den stars Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis ‘almost lose £33,000 in company scam’
DRAGONS’ DEN stars Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis almost lost £33,000 after a bent accountant forged cheques at their company Red Letter Days, it has been reported.
Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis are said to have almost lost £33,000
Jones, 51, and Paphitis, 57 - who are reported to have a combined net worth of almost £700 million - were said to have been the victims of finance officer Akilan Selvathiravam, 34, who is said to have carried out the scam over a two-month period at their firm.
According to The Sun, Selvathiravam was facing jail last night after admitting fraud.
A source told the publication: “Peter and Theo are business giants known for their impeccable standards and ethics."
Jones and Paphitis own Red Letter Days
The scam reportedly took place over a two-month period
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They will be hugely embarrassed this happened at one of their companies
“They will be hugely embarrassed this happened at one of their companies," they continued.
Prosecutor Linda Shamel told Wood Green crown court: “He falsified cheques and signatures, claiming they were corporate refunds and then cashed them.
“There were a large number falsified. He admitted doing it because he had a gambling addiction.”
Judge Joanna Greenberg QC added: “This was a serious offence, a breach of trust over considerable time. Custody is the most likely outcome.”
Paphitis is also the owner of stationery chain Ryman
Barclays Bank have compensated the entrepreneurs over the scam.
Jones and Paphitis - who is no longer on BBC business programme Dragons’ Den - run Red Letter Days; which is a website offering “unforgettable experiences”.
Express.co.uk has contacted a spokesperson for Barclays Bank and Red Letter Days for further comments.