Group allegedly carried out ‘large-scale, organised attack’ on benefit system. The 18 men and six women from London allegedly posed under fake names. Accused of claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment Support Allowance for two years. Appeared today at Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with conspiracy.
A gang of 24 men and women are accused of stealing more than £400,000 of taxpayers’ money in a ‘large-scale, organised attack’ on the benefits system.
The 18 men and six women, all aged between 19 and 24, are accused of ‘hijacking’ the identities of members of the public before posing under fake names in order to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Employment Support Allowance (ESA).
It is alleged some members of the group also had access to third party personal data which allowed them to pass identities onto other people.
During their first appearance in court today, it was alleged the gang, all of whom either live or work in London, worked together in a ‘large-scale, organised attack’ to cheat the Department of Work and Pensions out of £446,844.85 for two years.
The group appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. The case will now be sent to Southwark Crown Court.
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