British troops charged with fraud: Official

LONDON: Six British service personnel have been charged with fraud, the Ministry of Defence in London said on Friday, while one report said they were special forces troops.
       
"We can confirm that six service personnel have been charged with conspiracy to defraud," a spokesman said, speaking anonymously in line with government policy and declining to give further details.
       
According to the Sun newspaper, the six were from the SAS (Special Air Service) army unit and are accused of embezzling over USD 509,000 from funds for training in Brunei and Borneo.
       
The cash allegedly disappeared between 2003 and 2006 and if found guilty, the six could face up to five years in an army jail each, it added.
       
They are due to appear before a military judge in a central London court on Wednesday for a directions hearing.