A MAN is to stand trial accused of being involved in a £35,000 property fraud and then using cash to buy gold.

Mohammad Ashraf allegedly claimed to have owned Ruth Jardine’s flat in Rutherglen between October 1 2018 and April 30 2019.

Prosecutors state the 40-year-old later made £34,244 from a fraudulent sale of the flat to company D Lovat Ltd.

The charge states Ashraf acted with others as part of the alleged scheme.

It is claimed Ashraf put the flat on Hillhead Place, Rutherglen up for sale via a website when he had no legal title.

A man was allegedly induced to instruct solicitors to submit an offer to purchase the flat.

A sum of £35,000 was apparently negotiated.

Ashraf, of the city's Govanhill, is claimed to have told solicitors to work on his behalf to transfer the title to D Lovat Ltd.

It is said the law firm then moved £34,244.90 to a building society account operated by Ashraf.

The charge states the money was obtained by fraud and exposed D Lovat Ltd and Miss Jardine to legal action and deprived her of her property.

The offence is said to have been aggravated by a connection to serious organised crime.

Ashraf faces further charges of possessing the money made from criminal property and converting the cash.

It is alleged he converted the money into different currencies at a Bureau de Change and purchased gold.

It is lastly stated that he transferred cash from the building society account into the accounts of third parties.

Ashraf pleaded not guilty to the three charges at Glasgow Sheriff Court and a trial was set for August by Sheriff Alan Mackenzie.

Ashraf had his bail continued meantime.