Is it Criminal or Civil

[btrobin]

To cut a long story short, many years ago someone fled the UK with £10k of my money. I recently traced him to Panama and contacted him via a forum for ex pats, albeit he would not talk with me. I have informed the other contributors to the forum regarding his background and ethics, which can all be substantiated from UK police records etc.
I live in mainland France he is in Panama, his family live in the Medway towns in the UK, finally he has broken cover and told me that he has been in touch with the UK police in Kent and they eagerly await my return to the UK so that I can be, presumably, arrested and questioned regarding defamation of character and harassment against him.
I would presume that this is just a smoke screen on his part, but just to be on the safe side, why would the UK police be interested in the first place, and even so would the two matters be regarded as civil or criminal? Thanking you in anticipation. Mike

[Mr Veritas]

I would think that the if the information you have received,re the UK Police Medway towns and his family have come from him,then you can pretty well regard this as a tissue of invented lies on his part.
The only way I can see you getting the money back is to sue him in a Panamanian court,probably not possible I know,but maybe the only way of recovering any monies.However,as you say "many years" even a Panamaian court might not judge it well.
The UK Police are unlikely to be interested as,1,This person had fled to Panama, and.2.it is a civil matter(in all respects)between him and you.
It might help if we knew exactly "how" he fled with your money.Was it embezzelment,a loan,or just plain theft?
Also,how long ago is "many years"?
Sorry not to be more positive.

[btrobin]

I think you might be slightly missing the point a little. I know I have got as much chance of retrieving this money as being abducted by aliens. The question I posed was in relation to the facts that I posted on the Panamanian website, that is what he is objecting to, as obviously it is being seen by possibly his new circle of friends, and it is causing embarrassment to him. The allegations I have made against him can be substantiated by checking criminal records in the UK, for information this money he took from me was not, shall we say, kosher, that is why there is no redress for me through any court. The person concerned did not actually flee to Panama, but has ended up there via the US after 25 years, that is the time period we are talking about, I have only, after all this time managed to track him down, and , as I say the money will never be repaid but I feel I have made his life a little uncomfortable, as he had done for me so many years ago. My concern now is that I know his family are "well connected" in the Medway towns and I would not put it past reality that they are able to conjure up some sort of allegations concerning my e-mail comments to the forum he frequents. I have no concerns about the effectiveness of any charges that might be levelled at me, it is just the inconvenience of dealing with it. I have actually e-mailed Kent Police today asking them if they can substantiate his claim so I will await the outcome of that enquiry. Many thanks for your time.

[btrobin]

Just as I thought and Mr. Veritas commented as it being a tissue of lies. I have received an e-mail from Medway police saying that neither my name or the other parties appear on anything they are concerned with, let's hope that's true!!
Diversifying a little does anyone know of a free website where criminal records can be checked, I know there are a few advertised if you do a web search but when it comes down to the answers they want to charge you god knows how much, and they seem to be predominantly American.

[hc4361]

You cannot check a person's criminal record in the UK. It would be a breach of data protection laws.