Benefit cheats ordered to pay £6,000

8:40am Monday 18th August 2008

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Two benefit fraudsters have been told to pay back more than £6,000 in illegally claimed housing and council tax benefits.

Mercedeh Karbassi, of Golders Manor Drive, Golders Green, was found to be claiming both benefits despite having a second address.

William Russell, of Heyford Court, Cricklewood, was found to have been continuing to claim housing and council tax benefits despite his entitlement to Income Support stopping in March 2007.

Appearing at Hendon Magistrates Court on August 5, Karbassi was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work in the community and pay back a total of £3,597.58, plus legal costs of more than £1,200.

Russell, absent from the court, was fined £350 and told to pay back £2,410.73 to Barnet Council, plus legal costs of more than £500.

Both cases were discovered by the council's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team (CAFT), which works to detect any attempt to defraud the council of taxpayers' money.

Council leader Mike Freer said: "Many benefit cheats think they will never get caught, but thanks to our hard-working anti-fraud team we are clawing back more and more money that was handed out to people who were not entitled to it.

"My message to any other fraudsters out there is that you will be caught. Anyone who is claiming benefits has to report any changes in their circumstances to the council and if you think you will get away without doing that, then think again."

If you believe someone is fraudulently claiming benefits or is involved in any other activity to defraud the council of money, you can contact CAFT's fraud hotline on 020 8359 2007.