Two Croydon men have been jailed for their part in a gang which fraudulently claimed over £1.7 million in tax benefits.

Fiayo Akinwumiju of Coulsdon and Akinmayowe Aiyeola of Croydon, along with Anthony Ekajeh from Essex, hijacked over 200 identities and submitted fraudulent tax credit claims totally £898,046.97.

A joint investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), found they along with five other men, also attempted to claim over £820,000 in benefits and grants from the DWP.

Akinwumiju, 35, was jailed for seven and a half years and Ekajeh, 49, for ten years after the pair were found guilty at Croydon Crown Court of fraudulently obtaining payments by submitting false tax credit, benefit and Sure Start Maternity Grants claims.

Aiyeola was jailed for six-and-a-half-years after pleading guilty to fraudulent obtaining payments by submitting false benEfit claims.

The total amount paid out in tax credits by HMRC was £169,916,77, confiscation proceedings have already been put in place to recover the money.

John Pointing, Assistant Director for HMRC said: "This attack on public funds was a well planned and sophisticated fraud designed to line criminals' pockets at the expense of honest taxpayers.

"HMRC will not stand by and let fraudsters rip-off the law abiding public. We are committed to protecting public finances from attacks by organised crime.

"Crooks like Akiwumiju, Aiyeola and Ekajeh should beware. HMRC will find you, prosecute you and seek to reclaim any financial gain you receive from your criminal activity."