London arrests in £200,000 benefits fraud operation

Police arrested a man and a woman at homes in Ealing and Harrow as part of a crackdown on an organised benefit‑fraud scheme that claimed about £200,000 in false Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment claims. Searches uncovered luxury items, including designer handbags, and evidence that the suspects created false companies to launder money and conceal assets.

The raids were carried out by the Metropolitan Police under Operation Sendara, with support from government investigators. A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson said the arrests demonstrate a "determination to work closely with law‑enforcement partners" and highlighted new powers under the Public Authorities Fraud, Error and Recovery (PAFER) Act, which allows direct deductions from bank accounts in persistent non‑payment cases. The DWP noted the wider effort to save £14.6 billion by 2031 by tackling fraud, errors and debts.

The operation follows earlier investigations, including Operation Mellow, which uncovered a gang that stole at least £3 million in benefits, and the recent sentencing of Adam Mejri to 42 months for £160,000 in fake claims. The DWP also cited the case of Catherine Wieland, who falsely claimed severe anxiety while travelling abroad, as an example of the fraud being pursued.