Man convicted of benefit fraud

8:50am Tuesday 7th October 2008

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A Watford man has been convicted of benefit fraud, after a case brought by Watford Borough Council.

Rafiq Shah, of Cassiobury Park Avenue, failed to declare two additional bank accounts when he made his claim for Council Tax benefit.

Failure to declare this information resulted in Mr Shah receiving an overpayment of council tax benefits of £3392.57, to which he was not entitled.

Mr Shah was charged in court with a view to obtaining Council Tax benefit under social security legislation, and dishonestly making a statement or representation which he knew to be false.

At Watford Magistrates Court on September 30, Mr Shah pleaded guilty to the three charges put before him.

He was ordered by Watford Magistrates to pay £250 for each of the offences and to pay legal cost of £2,000 along with a collection order.

Councillor Andy Wylie, cabinet member responsible for financial issues, said: “This latest prosecution and subsequent conviction continues to demonstrate that Watford Borough Council is taking a strong line on benefit offences and will not tolerate benefit cheats.”

To report a fraud in confidence, telephone the council’s freephone fraud hotline on 0800 0368500 or write to the Council’s Fraud Section at the Town Hall, Watford WD17 3EX.