Adam Mejri, 47, was jailed after using a fake identity to claim funds – a judge said he was a ‘thoroughly dishonest person who preyed upon the innocence and misfortune of others’
A benefits fraudster used a false identity to secure a flat near Grenfell Tower before attempting to access funds allocated for residents impacted by the 2017 fire, a court was told. Adam Mejri, 47, wept in the dock and pleaded for “mercy” at Southwark Crown Court on Friday as he received a 42-month prison sentence following a series of fraudulent claims.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stated that Mejri had taken over £160,000 in benefits and council support. This comprised more than £52,000 in deceitful employment support allowance (ESA) claims, approximately £107,000 in housing benefit claims and £4,000 in local council tax support, according to the department.
Prosecutors revealed that Mejri repeatedly attempted to claim a £5,000 support fund intended for residents affected by the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire.
In March 2018, the defendant visited the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council offices purporting to be the tenant of an unoccupied flat near the tower.
The actual tenant had departed the UK, the court was informed. Earlier that year, Metropolitan Police officers had visited the property and two illegal immigrants found living there were arrested, prosecutors said.
The flat was then secured so it could only be accessed by council officials.
Mejri presented identification documents in the tenant’s name and the council removed a metal security door that was blocking the flat, prosecutors explained.
He then persistently tried to obtain the compensation payment, which the tenant of the flat was eligible for. However, officials harboured doubts about his identity and the money was never disbursed, the court was told.
Mejri was also redirecting the former tenant’s mail to different addresses and began sub-letting the flat for £1,200 per month, prosecutors added.
In July 2019, he allegedly employed the same bogus identity to secure universal credit. However, he consistently failed to turn up for Jobcentre appointments, alleging he was physically and mentally ill and unable to work.
When officers examined his Facebook profile, the missed appointments matched periods when he was in Saudi Arabia, the court was told.
The prosecution stated that Mejri obtained ESA and housing benefit while simultaneously earning money by subletting two additional properties in Westminster.
He had failed to disclose the earnings to Westminster Council. Mejri had admitted guilt to two counts of fraud and two counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change in circumstances.
His Honour Judge Baumgartner, during sentencing, described Mejri as a “thoroughly dishonest person who preyed upon the innocence and misfortune of others”.
Minister for Transformation Andrew Western commented: “This was a shocking and calculated fraud from a brazen criminal who stole a victim’s identity, exploited public support systems and even tried to profit from the tragedy of Grenfell.”
Senior crown prosecutor Richard Powell remarked: “Mejri’s selfish actions took tens of thousands of pounds away from those who required genuine support and financial help.”