Willesden woman jailed for £127k benefit scam

A woman from Willesden who fraudulently claimed more than £127,000 in benefits in a seven-year scam has been sent to prison.

Anila Hussain, of Balmoral Road, failed to tell Brent Council she working as a teaching assistant, was a joint owner of a property and falsely claimed she had no capital or investment.

She was caught after data matching software indicated she was working and an investigation was launched.

The 44-year-old had claimed a total of £127, 812.32 in Housing and Council Tax benefits.

She denied any wrong doing but last week at Harrow Crown Court she was convicted of fraud.

She was sentenced to 15 months in jail and faces a confiscation hearing where she could have her assets seized to pay back the council.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: “At a time when the council is facing significant reductions to its budgets it is crucial that we work tirelessly to tackle the small minority who claim money from the public purse which they are not entitled to.

“Ensuring that benefits money is protected and only goes to those who genuinely need it is vital.

“We are working hard to recover this money.”