A 55-year-old civil servant from east London is on trial facing nine counts of fraud related to his simultaneous employment across multiple government departments and public agencies.
At the height of the alleged scheme in spring 2023, Chowdhury held full-time positions with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the UK Health Security Agency, the Food Standards Agency, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Home Office. Prosecutors contend he was contracted to work 183 hours weekly across these roles, each providing a full-time salary. Court records indicate he earned £11,000 in a single month during 2023.
Chowdhury denies acting dishonestly or intending to gain financially through fraud. He testified that he was in a state of panic when applying for positions at the Department of Health and other agencies, stating he was not thinking clearly and failed to disclose existing employment. He claimed he did not actually want several of the positions and informed his line managers of his circumstances, describing the roles as temporary and probationary.
The prosecution alleges Chowdhury exploited remote working arrangements that became widespread following the Covid-19 pandemic to conceal his multiple concurrent positions. He reportedly told employers he was the sole caregiver for his elderly mother. Prosecutors further allege he took sick leave from some employers to manage the workload.
In his defense, Chowdhury stated his mother’s health deteriorated around May and June 2022, which he described as overwhelming and devastating. He characterized the jobs as his “lifeline” during this difficult personal period, providing both distraction and connection to the outside world while managing caregiving responsibilities. The trial remains ongoing.
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