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Gang convicted of Britain's biggest ever benefit fraud claiming more than £50m in Universal Credit

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date10 April 2024
Publication titleMyLondon (England)
The five members of an organised criminal gang falsely claimed more than £50 million in Universal Credit in what the CPS labelled the largest benefit fraud in England and Wales. Wood Green Crown Court heard how over a four-and-a-half-year period, between October 2016 and May 2021, the organised crime group made thousands of false claims for Universal Credit using either real people or hijacked identities

These claims were supported by an array of forged documents, including fictitious tenancy agreements, counterfeit payslips and forged letters from landlords, employers, and GPs. If the claims were rejected, the fraudsters would try again and again until they were granted.

The investigation identified three ‘benefit factories’ in London where repeated false claims for benefits originated from. The businesses claimed to assist people with obtaining a national insurance number and benefits to which they are entitled.

However, it was found that after applicants made their claims for benefits through these three sources, they then left them in the hands of the organised crime group. The money gained from these fraudulent claims was then laundered as it was moved between a number of accounts through numerous transfers and withdrawn in cash, the court heard.

The defendants were first arrested on 5 May 2021 and a number of properties were searched. During these searches hundreds of ‘claim packs’ containing forged and false documents were found and seized, as well as bundles of cash stuffed in shopping bags and suitcases, a luxury car and designer goods including watches, jackets, and glasses.

Following his release under investigation, one of the five defendants, Ali, fled the country to Bulgaria but he was extradited back to the UK on 25 February 2023 to face justice. When faced with the large amount of incriminating evidence which included encrypted messages, CCTV footage, forged documents, seized digital devices and bank statements, the defendants eventually all pleaded guilty.

Speaking after the case, Ben Reid, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, said: “This case is the largest benefit fraud prosecution ever brought to the courts in England and Wales...

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