Shameli, 55, formerly of Stable Lane, Worthing, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court on Monday 21 September 2026. If she enters the United Kingdom, she will be arrested and serve a third of her sentence.
She had previously been found guilty of four counts of fraud by abuse of position. She was found guilty of one count following a trial at Hove Crown Court in September 2025 and was found guilty of a further three following a trial at Hove Crown Court in July 2026. She was also absent for both trials and both verdicts.
She had pleaded not guilty to all charges at a Pre Trial and Preparation Hearing at Lewes Crown Court on 24 March 2025.
NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) investigators will now use their powers through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) to reclaim some of the stolen funds.
Shameli made fraudulent claims to the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) whilst contracted to practice dentistry at Findon Dental Care in Worthing. These include claims for work not carried out, claims for work carried out privately, claims for work actually carried out by a dentist in training and amending the dates of claims to improve a shortfall in her targets.
The fraud was first detected in September 2015, when the Coastal West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) raised concerns about a prescription issued by Shameli that lacked any patient details and practice stamp.
In April 2017, she was asked to conduct a self-audit of her claims for the period from September 2015 to February 2017. This was independently reviewed by the NHS Dental Services Clinical Adviser, who identified around one-third of the claims as being inappropriate. The case was consequently referred to the NHSCFA for investigation.
In January 2019, Shameli was served with a Notice of Production of Information under Part 10 of the National Health Service Act 2006, requiring her and her staff to produce dental records from the practice. Since the practice did not keep paper records, the NHSCFA’s Digital Forensics Unit (DFU) took a forensic image of the practice computer.
Michael Goodchild, the NHSCFA’s dental advisor, examined the records and identified around 1,200 false claims relating to 848 patients. Patients told the NHSCFA in interviews and witness statements that they had been treated privately or that the work had never been carried out.
Dental laboratories provided evidence showing that certain appliances had been claimed for but never constructed.
In total, Shameli defrauded the NHS out of £92,511.74.
In sentencing, His Honour Judge Swirsky said:
“She had fraudulently put her own personal interest ahead of the public interest.”
Ben Harrison, Head of Operations and Engagement at the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, said:
“Fariba Shameli’s actions represent a clear abuse of trust placed in her as an NHS professional and undermine confidence in the health service.
“By deliberately submitting false claims, she received substantial funds that should have been used to support patients who rely on NHS services.
“The NHSCFA continues to take a robust and proactive approach to tackling fraud, safeguarding public funds and upholding the integrity of NHS services.”
You can report NHS fraud anonymously on 0800 028 40 60, our 24-hour reporting line powered by Crimestoppers. You can also report it confidentially on our website at www.cfa.nhs.uk/report-fraud.