main content Benefit fraudster prosecuted - November 2007

A benefit fraudster was sentenced recently at Bromley Magistrates Court bringing the total prosecuted to 132 since the inception of Bromley Council’s partnership with Greenwich Council in April 2002.

Council Leader Stephen Carr said “This joint prosecution is welcomed and demonstrates our willingness to work with other agencies to identify fraud and vigorously pursue fraudsters. With tougher sentences imposed by the courts, we hope that this will have a deterrent effect.”

Sofia Flaguel, 36, of Artington Close, Orpington, pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council of housing and council tax benefits totalling £15,898 and the Department of Works and Pensions of income support totalling £29,955 over a period September 2002 to January 2006. She had failed to declare that she was living with a partner whilst claiming benefits as a lone parent. She was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work backed by a 12 month Supervision Order. No costs were awarded against her.

The Council and the DWP are in the process of recovering the overpayment of benefits.

ENDS


Notes to editors: 

Anyone with information about a suspected benefit fraud should contact (in strict confidence) the Fraud Hotline on 0800 169 6975 

Bromley Council works in partnership with Greenwich Council’s Corporate Anti-Fraud Team. 

For media enquiries, please contact Luis Remedios, Audit Manager, on 020 8313 4886 or email luis.remedios@bromley.gov.uk