Nigerian Couple Sentenced for Massive Tax Fraud in the UK
Nigerian nationals Luciana and Femi Akanbi have been sentenced in the UK for their involvement in a tax refund fraud scheme that exploited stolen personal data from Transport for London (TfL) employees, resulting in a financial loss exceeding £433,000 for the public purse.
According to reports from Kent Live, the fraudulent activity, which occurred between September 2021 and January 2022, utilized confidential information from at least 40 TfL staff members, including details like passport information, National Insurance numbers, and bank account records. The Akanbis submitted a total of 139 fraudulent tax refund claims as part of the scheme.
During the proceedings at Woolwich Crown Court, it emerged that Luciana Akanbi, 38, who worked within TfL’s human resources department, had unauthorized access to personal records of around 107 employees, which she later used to facilitate the fraud.
The couple allegedly set up numerous self-assessment accounts using the stolen data, filing claims with tax authorities through at least 38 electronic devices from their home and various locations. While the total claims submitted were reported to be around £650,000, investigators confirmed the actual losses incurred were more than £433,000.
The court heard that the proceeds from the fraudulent activities were laundered through a complex web of transactions, complicating recovery efforts for law enforcement agencies. Judge David Miller remarked that this was the most significant data breach in the history of the London transportation authority.
As Judge Miller articulated, the breach had far-reaching consequences for TfL, affecting employee morale and overall performance. He noted the scale of the operation, stating that the couple accessed personal information for tax refund claims from multiple victims, resulting in extensive financial damage.
Prosecutor Andrew Evans highlighted the sophistication of the operation, stating that it involved meticulous planning and impacted numerous individuals. Evidence presented at trial showed that Femi had approximately £66,000 in his bank account, while Luciana had around £16,000 linked to her name, with the court determining their financial benefits from the scheme exceeded these amounts. Financial difficulties, including Femi’s reported health issues and gambling addiction during the COVID-19 pandemic, were also discussed as contributing factors to their criminal actions.
The court further noted that over £50,000 of the stolen funds had been funneled into various gambling accounts. Luciana had initially attempted to shift responsibility for the data breach to a relative in the IT field, but the judge found both defendants pivotal to the fraud, emphasizing that Luciana’s position as a trusted employee made the scheme possible.
After the verdict, representatives from Transport for London announced enhancements to their internal data protection measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. They acknowledged the significant impact of the fraud on public funds, which could otherwise have been allocated for broader public benefits. A spokesperson for the Department of Revenue and Customs reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing individuals who attempt to exploit the tax system.
Furthermore, the court indicated that the couple might face deportation proceedings upon serving their sentences, underlining the serious legal repercussions of their actions.
