Former Council Leader Exploited Trust in Elaborate Fraud
A former East Dunbartonshire Council leader and Christian radio director has been sentenced to 22 months in prison for orchestrating a sophisticated romance fraud that targeted a 72-year-old woman he met through their church. Andrew Polson, 53, deceived his victim into transferring nearly £200,000 under false pretences, convincing her she was investing in property ventures that would benefit them both.
How the Fraudulent Scheme Unfolded
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) detailed how Polson first encountered the woman at church, where they later worked together at the now-defunct Revival Radio Ltd. Their relationship, which began intermittently in 2013 and resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic, became the foundation for his criminal activities.
In May 2021, Polson persuaded the woman to pay £40,500 to purchase his ex-wife's share of a property in Bellshill, Lanarkshire. She believed they would become joint owners and share rental income equally. However, prosecutors revealed Polson registered the property solely in his name just one month later.
The deception escalated in January 2022 when the victim transferred £146,000 for what she understood would be a home solely in her name in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire. Shockingly, Polson registered himself as the sole owner within six days of receiving the funds.
The woman also regularly deposited approximately £200 per month into AA Lettings, a company they had established together to manage repairs on the two properties.
Additional Charity Embezzlement Discovered
Police Scotland's investigation, triggered when the woman examined company bank statements in March 2022, uncovered further criminality. Polson had embezzled £9,018 from Revival FM, where he had served as financial director and later chief operating officer.
He used the Christian radio station's direct debit card for personal expenses, including a casino outing and property refurbishments, betraying the trust placed in him by the charitable organization.
Justice Served After Trial
Despite denying any wrongdoing, Polson was found guilty last month at Glasgow Sheriff Court on two charges: involvement in a fraudulent scheme aggravated by domestic abuse, and embezzlement. When he returned for sentencing on Wednesday 19 November 2025, Sheriff Court officials handed down the 22-month prison term.
The court also imposed a three-year ban preventing Polson from contacting his victim and initiated proceedings under proceeds of crime legislation to recover illicit gains.
Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Campbell of Police Scotland stated that Polson had "abused the trust placed in him and acted dishonestly to gain substantial sums of money" from both his victim and the charity.
Fraser Gibson, Procurator Fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, emphasized the particularly appalling nature of romance fraud, noting it creates both emotional and financial devastation for victims. He confirmed that despite the complexity of financial crime cases, the evidence presented during trial clearly demonstrated Polson's criminal activity.
