A Nigerian couple, Luciana Akanbi and Femi Akanbi, have been sentenced to three years in prison in the United Kingdom for orchestrating a large-scale tax fraud scheme involving stolen personal data.
The court heard that the couple used sensitive information belonging to employees of Transport for London to file fraudulent tax rebate claims.
The scheme, which ran between September 2021 and January 2022, involved at least 40 victims and resulted in a loss of over £433,000.
According to prosecutors, Luciana Akanbi, who worked in the organisation’s human resources department, had access to personal records of over 100 employees.
These details—including passport data, National Insurance numbers, and bank information—were used to submit 139 fake claims to HM Revenue and Customs.
Although the total claims approached £650,000, authorities confirmed that the actual financial loss exceeded £433,000.
The proceeds were quickly moved through a complex money laundering network, making recovery difficult.
Delivering judgment at Woolwich Crown Court, Judge David Miller described the case as the most severe data breach in the history of Transport for London.
He noted that the fraud had significant financial and emotional consequences for the victims, including damage to their credit ratings and personal finances.
The court also heard that financial difficulties, including a gambling addiction suffered by Femi Akanbi during the COVID-19 period, contributed to the crime. Evidence showed that tens of thousands of pounds were funneled into gambling accounts.
Despite attempts by Luciana to shift blame, the judge ruled that both individuals played central roles in the scheme, emphasizing that the fraud was made possible by the trust placed in her position.
No compensation order was issued, as the couple reportedly had no recoverable assets. Authorities confirmed that deportation proceedings may follow after they complete their prison sentences.
Officials from Transport for London stated that internal data protection systems have since been strengthened, while HM Revenue and Customs reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting tax fraud cases.
