Fraudster fee-earner banned after ‘audacious’ theft of £569,000

Caprice Lindo, who worked in the conveyancing department of Cheshire practice O’Neill Patient Solicitors, arranged for up to £569,000 of client money to be sent in late 2013 from the firm’s accounts to her associates.

According to an SRA notice published today, Lindo, who is not a solicitor, was investigated and dismissed after a client complained.

She only joined the firm in October 2013 but left before Christmas that same year.

The SRA confirmed Lindo then sought employment with other law firms under the alias ‘Chloe Wilson’ until 2017, when she was convicted of four counts of fraud by abuse of position.

She was sentenced at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court to three and a half years’ imprisonment.

Speaking following her sentencing, Detective Constable Shaun Nicholls, of Greater Manchester Police’s fraud investigation team, described an ‘audacious string of crimes where Lindo shamelessly abused her positions of trust and responsibility’.

Detective Constable Shaun Nicholls added:

‘Her selfish actions caused customers, colleagues, and other organisations undue stress and confusion.’

The SRA said it was undesirable for Lindo to work in the legal profession again and made her subject to a section 43 notice, effectively stopping her from being employed by any regulated practice without its permission.

The SRA added:

‘She abused the trust placed in her by the firm and their clients to misappropriate client money for the benefit of herself and others. Her actions were dishonest.’

Lindo will pay £600 costs of the SRA investigation.