An Erdington woman who claimed her landlord coincidentally had the same name as the father of her children has been found guilty of almost £15,000 of benefit fraud.
Jeetinder Sangha, 29, of Powick Road, was sentenced to 18 weeks’ in prison, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court today (October 8).
Sangha, who committed one offence under the Social Security Administration Act, was brought to justice following an investigation by the Birmingham City Council Benefit Counter Fraud Team.
Her deception, which totalled £14,720, was uncovered by Birmingham City Council Investigators when they discovered her claim for Housing Benefit was a sham.
On claims for benefit, Sangha maintained that the landlord of the property was not related to her or her children. However, it was established that the landlord was in fact the father of her children.
Even when she was interviewed by city council investigators, she continued to maintain that her landlord was not the father of her children, but someone who just happened by coincidence to have the same name.
Sangha would not have been entitled to any Housing Benefit had she told the council the truth at the outset of her claim. As part of her sentence she was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £1,500.
Cllr Randal Brew, Cabinet Member for Finance at Birmingham City Council, said: “It is unfortunate that we have had to prosecute yet another person who has tried to defraud the public person through benefit fraud.
“However it is pleasing that the efforts of the council’s investigators have once again worked hard to uphold the integrity of a system that is designed to help the city’s most vulnerable people.”
In an unrelated case heard on Wednesday (October 6), a Kingstanding woman was sentence to a one year community order after pleading guilty to claiming £6,949 from the council and Jobcentre Plus that she was not entitled to.
Karen Morris, 43, of Hurlingham Road, presented herself as a needy, vulnerable tenant, when in fact she had worked for three different employers.
The case, relating to five offences under the Social Security Administration Act, was brought to court after a joint investigation by the city council and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Cllr Brew added: “Since April this year alone we have taken legal action against 372 benefit fraudsters and this case demonstrates our commitment to drive down the levels of benefit fraud across the city.
“We want people to have their rightful entitlement to benefit but those committing fraud will be rooted out.”
In both cases any incorrect payments will be chased up by the council or DWP, dependent on which agency initially paid the benefit.
If anyone suspect someone of committing benefit fraud, they should call the City Council Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0121 303 9990.
All calls are confidential and callers can remain anonymous if they wish. Benefit fraud can also be reported online. To find out more information: www.birmingham.gov.uk/bhamaudit
ENDS
For more information please contact Kris Kowalewski on 0121 303 3621
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