Jailed Grays factory worker had 50 bank accounts in tax fraud

2:44pm Saturday 10th May 2008

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A 43-year-old factory worker from Grays has been jailed for four years for dishonestly obtaining more than £80,000 through fraudulent tax credit claims.

Anthony Aikulola, who has dual British and Nigerian nationality, used more than 50 different bank accounts in an attempt to disguise his illegal operation.

In passing sentence, His Honour Judge Overbury commented: "You played an active role in an extensive fraud.

"It is plain others were involved but also that the person benefiting from the fraud was one of the principal offenders. The jury convicted you on the clearest evidence. Your sole motivation was self enrichment at the cost of the state.

"It was a sophisticated fraud, the proceeds were quickly dissipated to your family or by cars being purchased. The identities of innocent members of the public were used meaning that for a time they were under suspicion which caused distress and embarrassment to them."

After the trial Timothy Atkins Senior Investigating Officer from HM Revenue & Customs said: "This case is the result of many months of intense and thorough work by a dedicated team of tax credit investigation officers, determined to see that this fraudster was brought to justice.

"The vast majority of tax credit claimants are honest and claim only what they are entitled to.

"But those who think that they can beat the system and gain advantage over everyone else without consideration or second thought should be worried.

"We will not hesitate to pursue those who commit this type of offence so that they can be effectively prosecuted by the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office."

The court heard that revenue officers began an 18 month investigation into Aikulola's affairs after noticing discrepancies in his tax credit claims.

This culminated in an unannounced visit by investigators accompanied by officers from Essex police to Aikulola's home on April 10, 2006.

When the house was searched, a large quantity of financial documents and two laptop computers were found and removed for further examination.

Aikulola, a married man with three children, was arrested on suspicion of fraud and money laundering and later released on bail.

During the course of the investigation officers discovered that Aikulola had made false claims to tax credits totalling £81,560.61 which were paid into 51 different bank accounts.

Aikulola had been found guilty on six counts of money laundering on April 3, 2008 and was remanded in custody until appearing for sentence.

The Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office, an independent prosecuting authority that reports to the Attorney General who prosecuted the case, will be seeking to recover assets from the defendant and a confiscation hearing has been set for September 15.