Operation Cannonball catches another fraudster
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
30/01/2008
A woman who claimed that she had memory problems and did not understand simple questions such as 'Do you work?' has been found guilty of benefit fraud as part of a zero-tolerance blitz codenamed 'Cannonball.'
Zabeda Ally, 66, of Cheesemans Terrace, W14, defrauded the council out of £9,237 in housing benefit and £1,716 in council tax benefit. She will be sentenced on Friday 22 February.
As part of Operation Cannonball, Mrs Ally’s home was searched by the police and officers from the council’s Corporate Anti Fraud Service. Different bank accounts statements, approximately £2,500 in cash, shares vouchers, and wages slips from McDonalds plc were found in her property. These were seized by the police and then Mrs Ally was arrested and taken to Hammersmith police station.
As a result of the police search it was discovered that Mrs Ally had been employed by McDonalds plc since 1983 and her wages were paid into an undeclared Barclays bank account. Additionally, Mrs Ally’s bank accounts were frozen by Hammersmith Police.
Mrs Ally was bailed to return to the West London Magistrate Court and on two separate occasions she pleaded not guilty and opted for her case to be heard at Blackfriars Crown Court.
Despite claiming that she had memory problems, the council obtained witness statements from her employer and stated that they had not any issues with her memory and she was quite capable to do her work.
Cllr Greg Smith, Cabinet Member for Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour, said: "We will continue to work together with the police to catch benefit fraudsters through Operation Cannonball. Benefit fraud is a serious crime that can drain large amounts of taxpayers’ money out of the system. I strongly recommend that anyone who is claiming benefits that they are not entitled to should not wait for Operation Cannonball to catch up with them, but should contact their local benefits office immediately to make arrangements to make voluntary repayments."
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