7:32pm Tuesday 22nd April 2008
By Guardian Reporter
A Tooting benefit cheat has been jailed for two years.
Pervaz Kayani claimed thousands of pounds from taxpayers to help pay rent on a Gatton Road house he actually owned.
A fraud investigation was launched into his financial affairs after Wandsworth Council received information that he owned the £300,000 house.
On his housing benefit form Kayani said he earned very little and needed to help to pay his rent.
But fraud investigators found when he bought the house he paid a substantial deposit on it.
In total investigators discovered he had fraudulently claimed £70,000 between 1999 and 2004.
Kayani pleaded guilty to 16 counts of deception at Kingston Crown Court.
The council is now seeking a confiscation order to ensure the lost money is repaid.
If Kayani does not repay the money his assets can then be seized.
Anyone with information about benefit fraud can call Wandsworth Council on 020 8871 7067 or the Fraud Hotline for free on 0800 328 6340.
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