The order was granted today (4 June 2025) at Manchester Crown Court and the figure represents all her known assets. Alemi has been given three months to repay the full amount.
NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) financial investigators used their powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) to request a confiscation order against Alemi. The courts will now begin recovering the money and funds returned to the various NHS trusts she defrauded.
Alemi had posed as a qualified psychiatrist and worked for the NHS for 22 years. She was found to have fraudulently obtained in excess of £1 million from a number of UK health bodies.
In 2023, Alemi stood trial at Manchester Crown Court and was found guilty of 20 offences, including fraud and forgery.
Alemi had provided the General Medical Council (GMC) with forged documents to obtain her UK doctor registration in 1995. These included a degree certificate from the University of Auckland and a letter written by the faculty registrar confirming her qualifications.
Her deception became known after a local journalist made enquiries about her qualifications with the university. He was following up on a court case in 2016 that led to her being successfully prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service for faking the will of a ‘patient’ in an attempt to inherit £1.3 million from the victim.
Cumbria Police, with support from the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, subsequently carried out an investigation which revealed that Alemi had forged her registration documents.
Following her conviction, an application was made to recover the money she falsely claimed from the NHS. Specialist financial investigators from the NHSCFA identified and restrained assets owned by Alemi. They established that Alemi owned several properties and held cash in bank accounts in the UK.
Ben Harrison, Head of Operations at the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, welcomed the court’s decision. He said:
“This case demonstrates our determination to pursue those who deceive the NHS.
“Alemi’s actions have deprived the NHS of money that should have been spent on professionals who are qualified to provide patient care.
“Today’s court order will go towards recouping some of the losses incurred by the NHS trusts who employed her for more than two decades.
“The successful outcome in this case is a stark warning to anyone thinking of committing fraud against the NHS that when you’re caught, you will face justice and be made to return the stolen money.
“I want to thank CFA investigators and our partners, particularly Cumbria Police, whose investigation was instrumental in bringing Alemi to justice.
“The recovery of these funds wouldn't have been possible without their expertise and commitment and demonstrate the importance of multi-agency collaboration in tackling fraud.”