Nigerian couple jailed in UK for £433,000 tax fraud

A Nigerian couple, Luciana and Femi Akanbi, have been sentenced to prison in the United Kingdom for carrying out a large-scale fraud scheme.

According to a report by KentLive, both individuals received prison terms of three years and nine months after defrauding the UK tax authority through fraudulent rebate claims.

The report explained that Luciana Akanbi, 38, who worked in the human resources department at Transport for London, accessed highly sensitive personal data belonging to colleagues, including passport details, National Insurance numbers, and banking information.

Prosecutors at Woolwich Crown Court stated that the couple used data from at least 40 employees to submit 139 fake tax rebate claims to HM Revenue and Customs.

The fraudulent activity, which took place between September 2021 and January 2022, led to losses exceeding £433,000, while the total value of claims filed was close to £650,000.

Delivering judgment, Judge David Miller described the case as the most serious data breach in the organisation’s history.

Judge Miller said, “TfL suffered their worst ever data breach. It meant they had to change their systems.

“It affected their morale, I am told, and staff performance. You acquired and used the personal details of 40 employees in relation to making the claims for tax rebates, but accessed the details of 107 employees.

“There were 139 claims in respect of 40 employees by self-assessment accounts being set up by you and others, using 38 computer devices from your own home and others. The effect was that there were 139 claims for tax rebates totalling just under £649,000.

“The money lost to HMRC amounted to just over £433,000. That money was almost instantly dissipated in a complex money laundering scheme.”

The court heard that Luciana Akanbi, employed by TfL since 2017, used her role to access the personal records of 107 staff members, which were then used to carry out the fraud.

Prosecutor Andrew Evans described the operation as highly organised and involving significant planning and numerous victims.

“The fraud was sophisticated in nature, required significant planning and involved a large number of victims,” he said.

He added that the proceeds were quickly transferred through an elaborate money laundering network.

Evidence presented showed that approximately £66,000 was traced to Femi Akanbi’s bank account, while £16,000 was linked to Luciana, although the court determined their total gains from the scheme exceeded those figures.

The court also heard that financial strain contributed to the offences, with Femi reportedly dealing with a gambling addiction following illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Miller noted that more than £50,000 of the stolen funds had been deposited into gambling accounts.

He further stated that Luciana, a mother of three, initially attempted to shift blame by suggesting that a relative working in IT may have been responsible for the breach.

However, the judge ruled that both defendants played central roles, emphasising that the crime was only possible due to Luciana’s access as a trusted employee.

“You, Luciana Akanbi, had been colleagues with some of these people who were extremely badly let down.

“That is damaging; to have your credit ratings impacted, to deal with HMRC and to have to rearrange your finances. There was immense damage to third parties,” the Judge said.

Judge Miller added that no compensation order would be issued, noting that the couple had no recoverable assets.

Following the verdict, a Transport for London representative said the organisation had strengthened its data protection systems to prevent similar incidents.

“We take any cases of fraud extremely seriously and welcome the court’s sentencing of these two individuals.

“This crime meant that hundreds of thousands of pounds was unable to be reinvested elsewhere to the wider public benefit, and involved working closely with HM Revenue and Customs to secure a successful prosecution,” he said.

A spokesperson for HM Revenue and Customs warned that efforts to exploit the tax system would continue to be met with enforcement action.

The court also indicated that the couple may face deportation proceedings after completing their prison sentences.