Bankrupt abuses government support scheme
Bankrupt from North London receives 8 years of additional restrictions after he applied for bounce back loan for bogus business.
Salih Ozhot, from Southgate, North London, petitioned for his bankruptcy before being made bankrupt on 13 October 2021.
The Official Receiver was appointed as his trustee in bankruptcy before uncovering the former café manager had falsely applied for a £50,000 bounce back loan.
Salih Ozhot applied for the loan on behalf of Kangaroo Courier Services, claiming the business had been set-up in November 2019. However, the business never traded and was ineligible for government support.
Enquiries found that out of the £50,000, Salih Ozhot used £15,000 towards setting up a website for Kangaroo Courier Services. In interviews with the Official Receiver, Salih Ozhot claimed he thought he could invest the bounce back loan into the business.
Due to the risk he posed to creditors, the Official Receiver applied for Salih Ozhot to be placed under additional years of bankruptcy restrictions.
On 11 May 2022 Salih Ozhot accepted an 8-year bankruptcy undertaking, which restricts him from being able to borrow more than £500 without disclosing his bankrupt status. He also cannot act as a company director without the court’s permission.
Mitzi Mace, Official Receiver, said:
Salih Ozhot cynically applied for government support, intended to help viable businesses during the pandemic, for a business that didn’t even exist. At best, it was an idea for a business and investment in a potential venture’s website was not a legitimate reason to receive the loan.
Salih Ozhot’s actions indicated a cavalier approach to business and a risk to future creditors. His 8-year ban should serve as a warning that the Insolvency Service will take action to tackle such financial wrongdoing.
In their capacity as Salih Ozhot’s trustee in bankruptcy, the Official Receiver is assessing assets available in order recover the bounce back loan.
Notes to editors
Salih Ozhot is from Southgate, North London, and his date of birth is 7 July 1982.
Details of Salih Ozhot’s Bankruptcy Restrictions Undertaking are available on the Individual Insolvency Register.
Bankruptcy restrictions are wide ranging. The effects are the same whether you are subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or to an undertaking. Guidance on the main statutory consequences flowing from a bankruptcy restrictions order or undertaking.
Information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct.