This case concerned a $1.7 million Housing Benefit fraud which lasted 10 years at the London Borough of Camden. Hieten Patel used his position as a claims assessor in Camden’s housing benefits department to set up and clear hundreds of false payments. Co defendant Bruno Hofferer posed as the landlord of several properties in the borough.

 

Patel used his unique password to plug false information into the council’s computer records creating a series of direct payments into Hofferer’s account. Ghost tenants made claims for housing benefits, all approved by Patel, and paid to Hofferer. Both were convicted of conspiracy to defraud the council.