SIX men have been found guilty of fraud after they made false claims for housing benefit and council tax.

Sudhangshu Das, 44, of Longwood Gardens, Barkingside, Ismail Chowdhury, 45, of High Road, Ilford, Azhar Mohammed, 47, of Pedley Road, Dagenham, Ibrahim Miah, 43, of Axon Place, Ilford, Jakir Hossain, 40, of Blythswood Road, Seven Kings, and Ranjit Saha, 55, of Ripley Road, Seven Kings were convicted of fraud at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, June 28.

Shamal Dutta, of Wellesley Road, Wanstead, was cleared of the same charges.

The group were accused of providing false documents to try and claim housing benefit, council tax reduction and tax credits after an investigation by Redbridge Council flagged up major fraud concerns.

The investigation also revealed a large number of other people using false employment details in order to claim housing benefit, who the council says it will “vigorously pursue” to recover any overpayments.

Speaking in court, Judge Paneth said: “What you have done is commit a gross abuse of the system that allowed for the freedom of movement and labour.”

Redbridge cabinet member for finance and resources Cllr Kam Rai said: “These cases clearly demonstrate that if you commit fraud in Redbridge we will absolutely come for you and you will be caught and punished.

“When people commit fraud against the council, they steal from you, your friends, family and the community.

“Fraud takes money away from vital services and impacts us all.”

Das, Mohammed, Miah, Hossain and Saha will be sentenced on Friday July 22 and Chowdhury at the end of August.