A family of African fraudsters stole at least £4million from taxpayers
in a 20-year scam. One created fake identities for up to 100 children to milk
the benefit system. She also claimed to suffer from HIV and require costly
drugs – but in reality sent them back to Uganda to be sold for huge profits.
Fraudster: Police found a 'kitbag for the commission of identity fraud' at the home of Dennis Kyeyune
A court heard that supplying the drugs for so many years cost the
taxpayer more than £2million. A further £154,000 went on education for the
‘family’, with £37,500 for a single higher education course. Fraud relating to
accommodation costs and sub-letting of flats cost £650,000, and the family’s
myriad benefits totaled £900,000.
During their six-week trial, a jury heard how the group ‘conspired
together to create, use and exploit’ false identities in order to carry out the
staggering fraud. An investigator told the Daily Mail: ‘The trouble is, they
had so many identities that it may never be known exactly how much they took
out of the benefits system and this country over such a long period of time.’ Prosecutor
Paul Raudnitz said: ‘The tentacles of this fraud went far and wide for many,
many years. Each defendant at different times joined the conspiracy.’
He said ‘key player’ Ruth Nabuguzi, 49, ‘employed multiple identities
... so many that the true number of identities may never ever be known’. Nabuguzi,
originally from Uganda, made claims for HIV/AIDS drugs costing £2,280,000. She
also received £500,000 in housing benefit from Newham Council in east London,
Croydon Crown Court heard.
Nabuguzi came to the UK in 1991 and claimed asylum for herself and four
children she had left behind in Uganda. Three years later, she used the name
Jane Namusisi to apply for asylum again – along with two more children. In 1999
– using the name Pauline Zalwango – she applied once more, this time with three
children.
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| Guilty: Lamulah Sekiziyuvu |
Guilty: Jordan Sebutemba
Guilty: Albert Kaidi
She is believed to have regularly travelled back to Uganda and bought at
least three properties in and around the capital Kampala. Dennis Kyeyune, 29,
is thought to be Nabuguzi’s son or nephew. Police found a black holdall at his
east London home hidden on a shed roof with a vast array of fake documents,
described as a ‘kitbag for the commission of identity fraud’.
Other members of the gang include Jordan Sebutemba, 26, thought to be
Nabuguzi’s daughter or niece; Albert Kaidi, a former partner of Sebutemba who
is believed to be from Rwanda; and Lamulah Sekiziyuvu, 36, a former partner of
both Keyuyne and Kaidi. Kyeyune, Sebutemba, Kaidi and Sekiziyuvu were found
guilty of various fraud offences yesterday. They will be sentenced along with Nabuguzi and
Betty Tibakawa, 21, Lina Katongola, 29, Mathy Matumba, 50, and Eddie Carlos
Semcenda, 30, next week.
Ruth Nabuguzi, originally from Uganda, made claims for HIV/AIDS drugs
costing £2,280,000. She also received £500,000 in housing benefit
Ruth Nabuguzi, originally from Uganda, made claims for HIV/AIDS drugs costing £2,280,000. She also received £500,000 in housing benefit
Judge Nicholas Ainley said the gang faced ‘inevitable’ prison sentences,
adding: ‘This was a family business and these people knew they were involving
themselves in a large scale immigration and benefits fraud. 'There must also
now be questions about their immigration status and right to be in the
country.’ Mark Simpson, an investigator
for the Department for Work and Pensions, said: ‘This case shows how criminals
determined to cheat the benefits system have nowhere to hide when the different
branches of the Government come together. ‘We can pool our expertise to target
and stop this fraud.’
Daily Mail UK
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