A 55-year-old British civil servant, Kashim Chowdhury, has been found guilty of fraud after secretly holding up to five full-time government jobs at the same time.

Chowdhury was convicted of nine counts of fraud at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday, November 9, 2026, following a trial over his multiple public-sector jobs between 2020 and 2023.

Prosecutors told the court that he earned almost £350,000 from eight public-sector employers during the period, including several government departments and public institutions.

At the height of the arrangement, he was reportedly being paid for five full-time positions simultaneously, with his contracts requiring him to work a combined 183 hours a week.

How He Managed Multiple Jobs

The court heard that Chowdhury secured overlapping positions with organisations including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Department of Health and Social Care, the UK Health Security Agency, the Department for Business and Trade, the Food Standards Agency and the Home Office.

His other employers included Tower Hamlets Council and East London NHS Trust.

Prosecutors said he concealed his existing employment when applying for additional positions and took advantage of remote-working arrangements introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He reportedly told employers that he needed to work from home to care for his unwell mother.

Allegations of Fake Sickness

During the trial, prosecutors also told the court that Chowdhury used sick leave from some jobs while continuing to work for others.

One incident that attracted attention involved a video call with his manager at the UK Health Security Agency in May 2023.

The court heard that he allegedly applied white make-up to his face to appear ill during the meeting. His manager reportedly noticed the make-up beginning to separate on his forehead.

Prosecutors also said he joined the meeting using an email address associated with another government department.

Jury Convicts Him on Nine Counts

Chowdhury denied nine counts of fraud during the trial. He admitted making mistakes but disputed that he had acted dishonestly or intended to obtain money fraudulently.

He told the court that his personal circumstances and his mother’s deteriorating health had placed him under considerable stress.

However, after approximately seven hours of deliberations, the jury found him guilty on all nine counts.

The conviction has renewed attention on the challenges public-sector employers face in monitoring employees who work remotely and hold multiple positions.

Chowdhury’s sentencing is expected to take place at a later date.

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