A fraudster from Barking who falsely claimed over £6,000 in housing benefit is facing 100 hours community service and large costs after her fraudulent claims were uncovered.
Hifza Masood, 33, was prosecuted last week for a benefit fraud totalling £6,603 after she failed to inform the council she had purchased her home in Southwold Drive, Barking, making her ineligible for payments.
On 13 August she was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid community work, to be completed over the next year. She will also have to pay £1,260 towards legal costs.
In a separate case Simone Thomas, of Nash Road, Chadwell Heath, was given a three year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 towards costs after failing to inform the council of a new job while on benefits.
Cllr Cameron Geddes, Cabinet Member for Finance, Revenues and Benefits, said: “It may be tempting to not inform the office and keep taking the money, but this is benefit fraud and you could end up with a criminal record.
“We have a very pro-active benefit fraud team and they are very good at weeding out these cases and getting successful prosecutions if necessary.”