DEPARTMENT FOR WORK
AND PENSIONS News Release (REGWM1210 - Hamulate) issued by The
Government News Network on 12 October 2007
Four men and a
woman were jailed for a total of 12 years at Birmingham Crown
Court today for their part in a conspiracy to obtain more than
£250,000 by stealing and altering giro cheques for benefits paid
by the Department for Work and Pensions and former Inland Revenue
(now HM Revenue & Customs). The five had pleaded guilty at an
earlier hearing.
The gang, which included two post office workers*, stole more
than 800 giros from postal sorting offices in Birmingham and
Leeds. They then altered the names to match those on stolen bank
and credit cards, increased the amounts payable, and cashed the
giros at post offices across the West Midlands.
During their enquiries, investigators found that thousands of
pounds in cash had been paid into the bank accounts of the two
postal workers, and that some of the stolen money had been used to
buy designer clothes and goods from Prada, Louis Vuitton and
Harvey Nicholls.
DWP Anti-fraud Minister James Plaskitt said:
"This was a
well organised and sophisticated attack on the benefits system by
people intent on lining their pockets from the public purse. We
will always seek to impose the strongest penalties for benefit cheats."
Revenue and Customs Minister Jane Kennedy
said:
"Investigators worked tirelessly to bring these
individuals before the courts, and the sentences reflect the level
of the fraud. This wasn't just stealing from the taxpayer, it
caused hardship and anguish to those waiting to receive the
benefits and tax credits which they needed, and to which they were
entitled."
Notes for Editors
More than 800 giros were stolen and falsely presented between
November 2005 and December 2006. The majority related to benefits
paid by the Department for Work and Pensions, but 35 related to
Tax Credits and Child Benefits totalling £13,299 payable by the
Inland Revenue (now HM Revenue & Customs).
In order to identify the post offices where the stolen giros
could be cashed, the conspirators purchased items from selected
post offices and obtained receipts. These post office receipts
showed the six-digit unique reference number for the specific
location, and the giros were altered accordingly.
Surveillance footage and photographs - Surveillance footage and
stills are available of Massamba Lubamba, Willy Mazele and
Bridgette Nawal.
Cyprian Noumema
Charge Conspiracy to defraud
Sentence 21
months
DoB 15 October 1980 (aged 26)
Occupation
Unemployed
Address No Fixed Abode
Nationality
Congolese
Mobile phone records link Noumema to John Crimee, a
Leeds postman, and fingerprint evidence links him to a number of
stolen giros cashed in the West Midlands. He is the link between
Leeds and Birmingham.
John Crimee*
Charge Conspiracy to defraud
* Failed to
appear in court. Warrant issued for his arrest.
DoB 31 July
1976 (aged 31)
Occupation Postal worker
Address 30 Scott
Hall Avenue Leeds LS7 3JE
Nationality French
Crimee was
employed as a postman in Leeds from February 2005 and stole almost
350 giros, most of which were cashed in the West Midlands. When
arrested, he had 49 giros in his possession. From October 2005
until the day of his arrest more than £10,000 in cash was
deposited in his Halifax Building Society account as payment for
his part in the conspiracy.
Massamba Lubamba
Charge Conspiracy to Defraud
Sentence 4
years
DoB 2 August 1972 (aged 35)
Occupation Postal
worker
Address 12 Baldmore Lake Road, Erdington,
Birmingham
Nationality Congolese
Lubamba was employed as a
postman in Birmingham from November 2002 and stole around 500
giros. He was arrested on 20 December 2006. During 2005 and 2006
around £5,000 in cash was paid into his bank accounts. In
addition, he spent almost £900 on designer clothes over two days
in July 2006, despite having a weekly wage of just £250.
Basimo Ngolo
Charge Conspiracy to Defraud
Sentence 3 1/2
years
DoB 24th June 1967 (aged 40)
Occupation
Unemployed
Address Flat 7, Trinity Court, Aston, Birmingham B6
6AL
Nationality Congolese
Ngolo had a central role as the
forger and was at the centre of the conspiracy. When arrested, in
addition to post office receipts and stolen bank and credit cards,
investigators found a typewriter at his address which has been
linked to a large number of stolen giros from both Leeds and
Birmingham. Investigators also found a 'manipulation
kit' containing scalpels, crayons, glue, tippex and
typewriter ribbons.
Willy Mazele
Charge Conspiracy to defraud and 3 attempts to
obtain property by deception
Sentence 21 months
DoB 1
February 1972 (aged 35)
Occupation Unemployed
Address 16
Geach Tower, Uxbridge Street, Newtown, Birmingham
Nationality
Congolese
Mazele would visit post offices, or arrange for
others to do so, and present the stolen and altered giros to
obtain cash.
Bridgette Nawal
Charge Conspiracy to Defraud and Obtaining
property by deception.
Sentence 12 months
DoB 15 May 1973
(aged 34)
Occupation Unemployed
Address 21 South Road,
Hockley, Birmingham
Nationality Cameroonian
Nawal was
employed by the conspirators to visit post offices and present the
stolen and altered giros to obtain cash. When arrested
investigators found that she had £8,000 in a bank account under an
assumed name, and had purchased designer goods from Prada, Luis
Vuitton and Harvey Nicholls, despite having no apparent income.
The National Benefit Fraud Hotline number is 0800 854 440. Lines
are open between 7am and 11pm seven days a week or thieves can be
reported online at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/benefit-thieves.
All calls to the National Benefit Fraud Hotline are confidential
and callers can remain anonymous if they wish.
Website http://www.dwp.gov.uk
Ref WM282/07
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF DWP BY GNN WEST MIDLANDS,
Press releases issued by GNN may be viewed at http://www.gnn.gov.uk
NEWS RELEASE