"No let-up" vow as Council collars fraudster

2.04.17pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 22nd Sep 2007

There will be no let-up in the crackdown on benefit fraud warned Richmond Council this week after another successful prosecution.

Kuldeep Kaler of Glebe Way, Hanworth, was sentenced to 50 hours community service and ordered to pay £2,500 compensation and £600 costs when she appeared before Richmond Magistrates for fraud offences on Monday 17 September. It was the tenth successful prosecution by the Council so far in 2007. Ms Kaler illegally claimed housing benefit between May 2006 and February 2007, claiming she was paying rent to a private landlord. However, following an investigation by the Council's anti-fraud team, it came to light that she was in fact the joint owner of the property. She pleaded guilty to all charges. Ms Kaler failed to attend any of the three interviews under caution that were arranged by the Council to discuss the matter.

The Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Stephen Knight, said: "We do everything we can to ensure that benefit money goes where it's intended - to genuine claimants. Fraudsters should beware. Our investigation team has an excellent track record in bringing them to justice - ten successful prosecutions this year already - and there will be no-let up in their efforts. Anyone who suspects fraud against the Council should call the team on 020 8891 7839. All calls will be treated in strict confidence."