Malaysian‑raised college founder on trial in Wales over £5m fraud allegations

A court in Wales has heard allegations that the founders of Cardiff Sixth Form College misappropriated millions of pounds from the institution’s accounts. — Pexels pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Friday, 09 Oct 2026 11:30 AM MYT

PETALING JAYA, Oct 9 — A court in Wales has heard allegations that the founders of Cardiff Sixth Form College misappropriated millions of pounds from the institution’s accounts.

Yasmin Sarwar, 45, a director and trustee of the college who grew up in Sarawak, denies nine charges of theft and fraud. Her former husband, Nadeem Sarwar, 50, reportedly from Malaysia, has already admitted stealing at least £5 million between 2008 and 2016, according to the BBC.

The prosecution said the college’s funds were treated “as their own personal piggy bank” and diverted away from charitable purposes.

Mark Cotter KC, opening the case at Merthyr Crown Court, told jurors that Yasmin was so committed to draining college funds into her own pocket that she was prepared to set up sham companies to divert large sums of money away from her husband and overseas once their relationship deteriorated.

Jurors heard that the college, founded in 2008, charged more than £30,000 (RM163,000) annually for tuition and upwards of £70,000 for boarding students. It was registered as a charitable company but generated “very significant profits running into the millions”.

According to the prosecution, the pair used the money to fund lavish lifestyles rather than directing it to charitable purposes.

Concerns about financial irregularities surfaced in 2015 when staff reported “issues with administration and a culture of fear”. 

The BBC reported that one employee was told to take cash from a paper bag to cover expenses, while another finance officer later raised questions about £1.8 million that appeared missing from accounts.

The Charity Commission subsequently launched a statutory inquiry in 2016 after discovering “areas of concern regarding apparent mismanagement of charitable funds”. 

An interim manager was appointed to oversee the college.

Nadeem was granted bail and will be sentenced at a later date. Yasmin’s trial continues.