A Nigerian couple, Luciana and Femi Akanbi, have been sentenced to three years in prison by a UK court for their roles in a sophisticated tax fraud scheme.
The scam, which targeted the public purse, involved the theft of sensitive personal data from Transport for London (TfL) employees to file fraudulent tax rebate claims.
According to a report by Kent Live, the fraudulent activity took place between September 2021 and January 2022. Luciana Akanbi, 38, exploited her position in TfL’s human resources department to access the private records of 107 employees.
Using 38 different electronic devices, the couple submitted 139 fake self-assessment claims to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
While the total value of the fraudulent claims reached nearly £650,000, authorities confirmed a total loss of over £433,000 to the public.
During the proceedings at Woolwich Crown Court, Judge David Miller described the incident as the "worst ever data breach" in TfL's history.
“TfL suffered their worst ever data breach. It meant they had to change their systems. It affected their morale... and staff performance,” Judge Miller stated during the sentencing.
The court heard that the stolen funds were rapidly moved through a complex money-laundering network.
Investigators traced approximately £66,000 to Femi’s bank account and £16,000 to Luciana’s, though the judge noted their total benefit far exceeded these figures.
It was further revealed that over £50,000 of the stolen money was funneled into gambling accounts due to Femi's addiction.
Prosecutor Andrew Evans emphasized the gravity of the crime, stating, “The fraud was sophisticated in nature, required significant planning and involved a large number of victims.”
A spokesperson for TfL confirmed that the organization has since bolstered its data protection protocols.
Meanwhile, HMRC warned that it remains committed to pursuing those who exploit the tax system. Both defendants may face deportation proceedings upon the completion of their prison terms.
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