Benefit fraud figures set to fall after prosecution

THE number of identified benefit fraud cases in Derby is likely to drop this year, according to the city council.

It says high figures in previous years were due to an organised fraud ring which was operating in the city and was uncovered after an investigation and successful prosecution.

Four criminals who falsely claimed benefits of more than £130,000 were jailed as a result of the investigation.

Discovering their individual claims meant that the number of benefit fraud cases recorded in 2011-12 went up to 222, an 18.7% increase on the year before, and in 2010-11 there were 187 cases, up 29% from the previous years.

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Following the investigation, the city council said that it expected figures to drop again and latest figures show this was correct.

In this financial year so far, there have been 96 cases.

Kath Gruber, director of the council's customer management, said: "The increased figures for the last two financial years are indicative of the positive response made to investigating organised fraud that was prevalent in Derby.

"This situation has now been resolved."

The four gang members told Derby Crown Court that they had been "employed" by a fictitious firm and produced fake paperwork.

They went on to claim tax credits, jobseeker's allowance, income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit.

Paperwork was provided by ringleader Kystyna Bil, who would receive a fee for her "services".

Bil admitted three counts of conspiracy to defraud between May 2008 and July 2011.

She was jailed for 21 months.

A further three people pleaded guilty to conspiracy offences in relation to the fraud, which the judge described as involving "professional planning".