Nigerian Couple Sentenced to Prison for Major UK Tax Fraud Involving Stolen Employee Data
A Nigerian couple residing in the United Kingdom has been handed significant prison sentences for their involvement in a sophisticated fraud operation that exploited the personal data of Transport for London (TfL) employees to claim fraudulent tax rebates worth approximately £650,000.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
Luciana Akanbi, 38, who worked in the human resources department of Transport for London, unlawfully accessed the confidential personal information of her colleagues. Together with her husband, Femi Akanbi, 51, the couple utilized passport numbers, national insurance numbers, and bank details belonging to 40 TfL employees to submit 139 false tax rebate claims to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The fraudulent activities took place between September 2021 and January 2022, resulting in a substantial loss of £433,000 from public funds. The couple, who lived in Dartford, were each sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for their roles in this elaborate scheme.
Court Proceedings and Judge's Remarks
During the sentencing at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday, April 15, 2026, Judge David Miller described the case as the "worst ever" data breach in the history of Transport for London. He emphasized the severe impact on the organization, noting that TfL was forced to overhaul its systems, which adversely affected staff morale and performance.
Judge Miller detailed that the couple accessed the personal records of 107 employees, though they specifically used the details of 40 individuals to file the fraudulent claims. The fraud involved the use of 38 computer devices from their home and other locations, leading to claims totaling just under £649,000.
The judge stated: "The money lost to HMRC amounted to just over £433,000. That money was almost instantly dissipated in a complex money laundering scheme." He also highlighted that £66,000 was deposited into Femi Akanbi's bank account and £16,000 into Luciana's, but he was convinced their actual gains were higher.
Prosecution's Case and Mitigating Factors
Prosecutor Andrew Evans outlined the sophisticated nature of the fraud, which required extensive planning and affected a large number of victims. He revealed that following her arrest, Luciana Akanbi, a mother of three, attempted to shift blame by suggesting her husband's cousin, who works in IT, might have accessed the TfL data.
Evans also explained that Femi Akanbi served as a crucial link in facilitating the fraudulent claims using the information obtained by his wife. The court heard that Femi's gambling addiction, exacerbated by financial troubles during the COVID-19 pandemic when he was hospitalized with the virus, contributed to the family's predicament. Over £50,000 was funneled into various gambling accounts.
Impact on Victims and Organizational Response
Judge Miller underscored the profound damage inflicted on the victims, including impacts on credit ratings, the need to deal with HMRC inquiries, and financial rearrangements. He noted that Luciana Akanbi, as a trusted employee, betrayed her colleagues, causing significant distress and distrust within the organization.
Richard Mullings, Head of Counter-fraud & Corruption at TfL, expressed that the organization takes fraud cases extremely seriously and welcomed the court's sentencing. He highlighted that the crime diverted hundreds of thousands of pounds from public benefit and acknowledged the collaboration with HMRC to secure a successful prosecution.
Mullings added: "We immediately notified the Information Commissioner's Office and can reassure those working for us that we have since introduced a range of measures to further tighten up access to personal staff data and ensure this cannot happen again."
HMRC's Warning and Broader Implications
A spokesperson for HMRC issued a stern warning, stating that this case should serve as a deterrent to others attempting to undermine the tax system and steal public funds. They urged anyone with information about tax fraud to report it to HMRC, emphasizing the agency's commitment to acting against such crimes.
Judge Miller concluded by noting that the couple may face deportation proceedings, though that decision falls outside his jurisdiction. He also mentioned that the fraudulently obtained money was irretrievably lost, with no means available for recovery, remarking, "I cannot get blood from a stone."
