Popular golf course to be sold after fraud scandal

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A popular English championship golf course is set to be sold after becoming embroiled in a high-profile fraud scandal.

Mill Ride Golf Club in Berkshire was one of a number of assets forfeited by the wife of a jailed banker following a six-year National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation into fraudulent acquisitions.

Zamira Hajiyeva was forced to give up the Berkshire course – as well as a £14million Knightsbridge House – after the NCA concluded it was obtained as a “direct result of large-scale fraud and embezzlement, false accounting and money laundering.”

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Her husband Jahangir is the former chairman of the International Bank of Azerbaijan and is currently serving a 16-year sentence in Baku after being convicted of multiple offences, including fraud and embezzlement.

The NCA’s investigation into the fraudulent activities resulted in the Mill Ride course in Ascot being part of the UK’s first unexplained wealth order (UWO). The UWO laws respond to individuals with unclear sources of wealth and enables courts to seize property without having to prove a crime.

The agency found “no reasonable explanation” for the source of funds used to buy either the 170-acre club or the Knightsbridge house.

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According to the BBC, an NCA spokesperson has confirmed that 70% of the proceeds of the sale of Mill Ride will be kept by the government and the 0ther 30% will be returned to Mrs Hajiyeva.

“A trustee has been appointed by the High Court whose function is to realise the value of the two properties by selling them. The process has commenced but is likely to take some time,” the spokesperson said.

The legal chaos has not impacted day-to-day operations at Mill Ride. The 6,861-yard layout designed by Donald Steel is regarded as one of the best in the area and remains popular among visitors.

Green fees for non-members at the parkland course start at £55.

Article Credit: https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/mill-ride-golf-course-sale-fraud-scandal/