Jail for benefits fraudsters who claimed more than £700,000

A couple who fraudulently claimed more than £700,000 in benefits have been sentenced to four years in prison.

Wojciech Kowalski and Wiktoria Packowska created false bank accounts, identity documents and utility bills to make over 80 false claims across a three-year period.

Inside officers removed a kitchen kickboard and found a carrier bag containing a vast quantity of mobile phones, bank cards and documents linking them to fraudulent activity.

Kowalski and Packowska, both 28, were released on bail pending further enquiries but continued to claim for benefits they were not entitled to and were arrested again in August 2021.

They pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud, possessing articles for use in fraud and possessing criminal property and were sentenced at Canterbury Kent Police’s drive to prevent offenders profiting from their crimes continues with further confiscations. In separate hearings at Maidstone Crown Court, two men convicted of large scale drug supply offences have been ordered to give up their ill-gotten gains" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpil-monitor-id="29336">Crown Court on Monday 24 June 2024.

The investigation into their criminal activity was carried out by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate with assistance from the Department for Work and Pensions.

Detective Constable Stuart Tracey said: ‘Wojciech Kowalski and Wiktoria Packowska abused the benefits system and cheated their way towards vast sums of money intended for people who needed it more than they did.

‘They created multiple false identities to commit their crimes and even lied about where they lived when they were first arrested at the Channel Tunnel. However they could not escape the truth for long and are both now behind bars as a result.’

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