A MAN has been accused of fraudulently pocketing £4.8m from the assembly and services division at the Mini plant in Cowley. 

Johannes Franken, of Fockbury Road, Dodford, Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, was charged yesterday with two counts of fraud by false representation and one count of money laundering.

He is accused that between May 1, 2013 and December 23, 2013 at the assembly and services division at BMW in Cowley he dishonestly made a false representation, namely altering supplier invoices and payment systems to cause £1.106m to be diverted to his account instead of the genuine recipient.

He is also accused that between February 3, 2014 and December 17 last year at the assembly and services division at BMW in Cowley dishonestly made a false representation, namely altering supplier invoices and payment systems to cause £3.701m to be diverted to his account instead of the genuine recipient.

On the money laundering count he is accused of acquiring, using or having criminal property between May 3, 2013 and December 17, 2014 at Oxford in that he had possession of £4.8m.

The 50-year-old appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court today and was remanded in custody to appear for trial at Oxford Crown Court on February 13.

A 46-year-old woman who was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the investigation has been released on police bail until February 4.

A 47-year-old man who was arrested on the same day has been released without charge.

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