A blitz on benefit fraudsters in Hammersmith & Fulham has seen four scroungers given their comeuppance.
Ganiyu Anifowose, claimed more than £10,000 of housing and council tax benefit despite having enough cash to buy a house and rent it out
The fraudster, 42, of Lancaster Court, Fulham even claimed on his mortgage application that his business made a profit of more than £60,000 a year.
On Friday, November 25, at Kingston Crown Court, he was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for two years. He was also told to do 150 hours of unpaid work.
Catherine Hennessy claimed almost £15,000 housing and council tax benefit for a flat in Osram Court, Hammersmith, despite the fact that she was subletting the property and had purchased a home in Bognor Regis with the father of her children.
Love Tegoe, formerly of Barons Court Road claimed £12,797 of housing benefit despite the fact that she was in fact a full time student and in receipt of a student loan and grant. She had to be arrested by police as she was persistently dodging court hearings.
On Thursday, November 24, at West London Magistrates, she was sent to prison for 12 weeks , suspended for 18 months, and told to do 150 hours of unpaid work.
Finally, Makhbuba Abdul, of Pellant Road, Fulham defrauded almost £22,000 by hiding accounts containing undeclared savings and undeclared income. She pleaded guilty to benefit fraud offences on Wednesday, November 23 and will be sentenced on December 6.
Cllr Greg Smith, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said:
“This motley crew of social loafers between them helped themselves to over £60,000 of taxpayers cash, depriving council services of funds during these tough economic times. Our corporate anti fraud service work round the clock to catch benefit cheats and this quadruple hit goes to show that we will eventually catch up with you and bring you to justice. The message is change your ways or we’ll see you in court.”
Comments