Jail sentence for resident claiming thousands in benefit fraud case

Date:  21 February 2006

A Three Rivers resident who committed benefit fraud totalling over £26,000 received a 15-month jail sentence at Harrow Crown Court on Friday following an extensive investigation led by Three Rivers District Council.

Mr Kam Surdhur, of Russell Road, Moor Park, had claimed Council Tax Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance from 2001 to 2004, despite having an undeclared income of over £100,000, two undeclared businesses, and two undeclared properties from which he had been obtaining rental income. Mr Surdhur had failed to declare thirteen bank accounts in his name.

In addition to the jail sentence, Mr Surdhur must now repay all the overpayments he received and he could also face a confiscation of his assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The value of his assets, including his properties and businesses, is estimated at over £2million.

Mr Surdhur's fraud first came to light via the Council's Customer Services Centre, who noticed in Mr Surdhur's records that he had submitted planning applications for major works on his Moor Park property, yet he was claiming Council Tax Benefit from the Council. The Customer Services Centre reported this discrepancy to the Council's fraud team, who launched a joint investigation with the Department of Work and Pensions.

Councillor Richard Struck, Resources Portfolio Holder, said:

"The level of fraud in this case is astonishing and we are very pleased that Mr Surdhur received a custodial sentence. Mr Surdhur claimed thousands of pounds in benefits which could have gone to someone in genuine need of financial help, or towards providing valuable services in the community. Such blatant dishonesty must be dealt with harshly and we hope this case serves as a reminder of just how seriously benefit fraud is taken."

The District Council is encouraging residents who suspect that someone they know may be committing benefit fraud to contact the fraud investigations team in complete confidence. Call the fraud hotline on 01923 727190, email fraud@threerivers.gov.uk, or complete a benefit fraud referral form available online at 
www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/BenefitFraud