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Insider data breach exposed personal records of 40 employees, enabling 139 fake tax refund claims

A Nigerian couple, Luciana and Femi Akanbi, have been convicted and jailed in the United Kingdom for orchestrating a sophisticated tax fraud scheme that cost the public purse more than £433,000.

The pair were found guilty after investigators uncovered how stolen personal data belonging to Transport for London (TfL) employees was used to file fraudulent tax rebate claims.

The court heard that the fraud took place between September 2021 and January 2022, targeting at least 40 TfL workers. Sensitive information—including passport details, National Insurance numbers, and bank records—was used to submit 139 false tax refund claims.

Proceedings at Woolwich Crown Court revealed that Luciana Akanbi, 38, worked in TfL’s human resources department and had access to personal records of about 107 employees. Prosecutors said this access enabled the large-scale data breach that underpinned the fraud.

Using the stolen information, the couple created multiple self-assessment accounts and submitted fake claims to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The operation involved at least 38 electronic devices used from their home and other locations.

While the total value of fraudulent claims was estimated at nearly £650,000, authorities confirmed that actual losses exceeded £43 Read more...
https://dailyobserver.ng/nigerian-couple-jailed-in-uk-over-ps433000-tfl-tax-fraud-scheme

SolaOmoniyi:
Insider data breach exposed personal records of 40 employees, enabling 139 fake tax refund claims

A Nigerian couple, Luciana and Femi Akanbi, have been convicted and jailed in the United Kingdom for orchestrating a sophisticated tax fraud scheme that cost the public purse more than £433,000.

The pair were found guilty after investigators uncovered how stolen personal data belonging to Transport for London (TfL) employees was used to file fraudulent tax rebate claims.

The court heard that the fraud took place between September 2021 and January 2022, targeting at least 40 TfL workers. Sensitive information—including passport details, National Insurance numbers, and bank records—was used to submit 139 false tax refund claims.

Proceedings at Woolwich Crown Court revealed that Luciana Akanbi, 38, worked in TfL’s human resources department and had access to personal records of about 107 employees. Prosecutors said this access enabled the large-scale data breach that underpinned the fraud.

Using the stolen information, the couple created multiple self-assessment accounts and submitted fake claims to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The operation involved at least 38 electronic devices used from their home and other locations.

While the total value of fraudulent claims was estimated at nearly £650,000, authorities confirmed that actual losses exceeded £43 Read more...
https://dailyobserver.ng/nigerian-couple-jailed-in-uk-over-ps433000-tfl-tax-fraud-scheme

The xenophobic daily observer calls them "Nigerian couple" when it comes to crime. Don't worry, when next your English national football team is scoring goals, we will remind you of who is "Nigerian".