Housing benefit fraudsters

A benefit cheat who fraudulently claimed £29,100 in housing benefit is facing community service and a substantial fine after a court case brought by the council.

Raja Imran Khan of Eisenhower Drive, Beckton, had continued to claim housing benefit on a property in Viscount Drive, Beckton, despite leaving in 2007. He continued to claim benefits until February 2011 when he was caught by Newham Council's benefits team after a routine check.

Officers from Newham Council's counter fraud team discovered someone else living at the Viscount Drive address. They were later told by Khan that he did not have a permanent address.