Kalloo |
A benefits cheat who claimed to be
partially blind and disabled faces jail after being caught driving.
Kelvin Kalloo, of Dunstable,
Bedfordshire, claimed nearly £100,000 in handouts from Brent Council and
Central Bedfordshire Council over six years before being caught by the
authorities' investigators.
The married 34-year-old was caught
out after being spotted driving three different cars and working at a stall in
a market at Watford, Hertfordshire, jurors at Harrow Crown Court were told last
month.
Kalloo told both councils he was
partially blind and a car crash left him unable to walk unaided. But investigators
from the councils found that he had 'no apparent issues with his sight', the
court heard.
They also found he was capable of
walking without any help. Kalloo claimed £70,000 in benefits from Brent between
2002 and 2008 and £27,000 from Bedfordshire between 2002 and 2006.
He also made a further fraudulent
claim to Bedfordshire between 2009 and 2010 for £5,700.
Kalloo claimed the payments in the
form of direct payments for a carer to look after him, but the court was told
that he opted to 'arrange his own care' rather than have the council provide
it.
The carer was in fact his wife – but
Kalloo did not even need any help and was perfectly able to walk, drive and
work without any assistance. He also owned four homes, which were rented out.
He was arrested in October 2008
after investigators became suspicious and visited his home.
Officials at both councils worked
together after the arrest - and Brent's legal team eventually brought him to
justice. They also found he had several bank accounts with thousands of pounds
in them.
Last week, after a seven week trial,
Kalloo was found guilty of 10 counts of fraud. He will be sentenced on January
30.
Brent Council's deputy leader
Councillor Ruth Moher said this week: ‘Fraud against the social care system
directly affects some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
'It is unfair that while times are
hard for many, a very small minority think it's OK to make fraudulent claims
for benefits and services'
Councillor Ruth Moher, Brent
Council's deputy leader
‘We are determined to root out fraud
in this and all our services and take the strongest possible action against
fraudsters.
‘We will not be deterred by the prospect
of complex, lengthy investigations and will continue to prosecute those
individuals who seek to line their own pockets at the taxpayers' expense and
those in genuine need.
‘It is unfair that while times are
hard for many, a very small minority think it's OK to make fraudulent claims
for benefits and services.’
Dailymail.co.uk
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