UK Man Jailed for £172,000 Benefits Fraud and Attempted Eat Out To Help Out Scam

A delivery driver has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for defrauding the UK government of over £172,000 through a six-year benefits scam. Atikur Rahman, 34, also attempted to exploit the "Eat Out To Help Out" scheme, designed to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, by fraudulently registering 20 businesses.

Rahman pleaded guilty to multiple fraud charges at Canterbury Crown Court in Kent. Between July 2015 and May 2021, he assumed the identities of friends and family members to make over 40 claims for various benefits, including Universal Credit, tax credits, child benefit, and maternity allowance. He also used fictitious companies and employment details in his fraudulent activities.

The investigation into Rahman's activities began in 2018 when one of the individuals whose identity was stolen tried to make their own benefit claim, raising suspicions with Department for Work and Pensions staff. A subsequent investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) uncovered his involvement with the "Eat Out To Help Out" scheme, which offered diners a discount on meals purchased from Monday to Wednesday. Rahman sought to gain more than £62,000 from this initiative, but HMRC intervened before any funds were disbursed.

HMRC arrested Rahman in October 2021 and searched his home in Margate, Kent. During an interview, he admitted to making the fraudulent registrations. He was charged with five counts of fraud and has been barred as a director for eight years in addition to his prison sentence.

Margaret Mousley, deputy director in HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service, stated that robust anti-fraud checks were in place for the "Eat Out To Help Out" scheme, which prevented the fraudulent payout. She emphasized HMRC's commitment to tackling public purse fraud and encouraged reporting of such activities.

Lilian Greenwood, government minister for innovation, fraud and data, condemned Rahman's actions, highlighting that money lost to fraud should be used to support those in genuine need and fund public services. She affirmed that the government is undertaking a significant crackdown on welfare system fraud. In related news, Chancellor John Healey has announced plans to deploy 2,000 anti-fraud experts to Jobcentres to combat benefits cheats and recover an estimated £1.4 billion. These officials will work with Work Coaches to identify suspicious Universal Credit claims early and will also implement stricter checks on claims made from abroad.