Council prosecutes worker who kept Hammersmith Hospital job under wraps
A benefits cheat who swindled thousands of pounds while making cash on the side at a local hospital has been prosecuted by Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
40 year old Enovwo Ubogo deliberately concealed her job and secret second bank account so she could keep sponging housing benefits she wasn't entitled to.
Ms Ubogo, who also uses the surname Natufe, claimed she was unemployed and had only one bank account. In fact she was working all along at Hammersmith Hospital and hid a second bank account where she tried to conceal her wages.
But suspicious council investigators caught Ubogo, of Lannoy Point, Fulham, out when searches revealed her hidden stash. Council Investigators alerted police who arrested her at an address in Rainham, Essex.
Ubogu pleaded guilty to dishonestly making a false statement to claim benefits.
The court heard how she swindled more than £3,000 worth of taxpayer’s money out of the council before her scheme came undone in 2005.
Cllr Greg Smith, cabinet member for crime and anti-social behaviour, said,
“Benefit fraud is a serious problem and we are taking a zero tolerance approach to these cheats. This sort of fraud costs taxpayers, as well as the most vulnerable residents, dear. That’s why we make no apologies in pursuing the cheats relentlessly until justice is done.”
Ms Ubogu was ordered to pay the benefits back as well as serving a 12 month community order involving 60 hours unpaid work for the borough.
The council has a dedicated team of trained officers to investigate allegations of benefit fraud and will prosecute cheats who claim benefits they are not entitled to.
To report cheat call the fraud hotline on 020 8753 1273.
All information is treated in the strictest confidence and you can remain anonymous if you wish.
October 9, 2006