Lloyds head of security in £2.5m fraud charge

Harper is accused of submitting false invoices to claim payments between September 2008 and December 2011.

At the time she was working as head of fraud and security for digital banking and allegedly made false claims totalling £2,463,750.

Harper will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 31 May.

She has been charged with one count of fraud of abuse of position.

Andrew Penhale, from the Crown Prosecution Services’ central fraud group, said: “The charge relates to an allegation that between 1 September 2008 and 21 December 2011, Jessica Harper dishonestly and with the intention of making a gain for herself, abused her position as an employee of Lloyds Banking Group, in which she was expected to safeguard the financial interests of Lloyds Banking Group, by submitting false invoices to claim payments totalling £2,463,750.88, to which she was not entitled.

"This decision to prosecute was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

"We have determined that there is a realistic prospect of conviction and a prosecution is in the public interest."

A spokesman for Lloyds Banking Group, said: “As the court process is ongoing it would be inappropriate for us to comment.”