Former councillor Andrew Polson sentenced for scamming ex-partner out of £188,000 and embezzling £9,018.

Andrew Polson, a former East Dunbartonshire Conservative council leader, was convicted of defrauding his 72-year-old former partner, Ann Kelly, of £188,000 in a romance scam between 2021 and 2022. He misled her into investing her divorce settlement and savings into property ventures through his company, AA Lettings, promising shared ownership and profits, but secretly placed both properties in his name and used the funds for personal expenses including travel, social outings, and a birthday party. Kelly, who also contributed £200 monthly to the company, discovered the deception after comparing his behavior to the Tinder Swindler. Polson was also convicted of embezzling £9,018 from Revival FM. Though the Bearsden property has since been transferred to Kelly and is being sold, her total financial loss reached £496,000. The case has drawn public condemnation and marked a major downfall for the now-independent councillor.