The council's Anti-Fraud Team has caught out a Hammersmith fraudster who was making fictitious support payment claims to the council for her mother's care.
Karmelese Hussain, 41, was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, 100 hours of unpaid work and 25 days of rehabilitation activity, at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday 16 June.
The council's investigation revealed a two-year long deception with forged documents and fake care arrangements costing the council over £38,000.
In an attempt to cover her tracks, Hussain claimed she had got a new carer for her mother after the previous care was ended to justify the additional payments but the Anti-Fraud Team found no evidence this person existed.
She pleaded guilty on five offences: three counts of forgery and counterfeiting, one count of theft, and one offence under the Fraud Act.
Cllr Rowan Ree, Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, said:
Dishonest scammers like this will not be tolerated in H&F. This is a shameful abuse of the support system that is there for those most in need. The work of our Anti-Fraud Team forms part of our fight on crime in H&F and our ruthless financial efficiency."
Do you suspect someone committing fraud?
Our dedicated team investigate fraud against H&F Council including:
- housing and tenancy fraud – illegal subletting and false application for housing
- council tax fraud – claiming to live alone and receiving 25 per cent discount on your council tax
- Disabled parking fraud – parking on Disabled bays when the blue badge holder is not present
- business rates fraud – companies falsely claiming empty property or charitable relief
- direct payments fraud – people who falsely claim to be Disabled to obtain care funds or misuse the funds.
If you know someone is committing fraud in H&F, report it by filling in an online fraud report form or call the anti-fraud hotline on 020 8753 1273.
