Benefit Cheat Couple Jailed for Raking in £700k Fraud
A deceitful duo have been slammed with four-year prison sentences after scamming over £700,000 in benefits. Wojciech Kowalski and Wiktoria Packowska used fake bank accounts, false IDs, and forged utility bills to pull off more than 80 bogus claims over three years.
Caught Red-Handed with £62,000 in Cash
Their elaborate fraud unravelled on 14 June 2020. The pair tried to flee the UK via the Channel Tunnel, with £50,000 stashed inside Packowska’s leggings and another £12,000 hidden in her handbag. The cash haul triggered police suspicion and swift arrests.
Fake Identities, Hidden Evidence and Continued Fraud
- Police raids at their Ilford, East London home uncovered a secret stash behind a kitchen kickboard. Officers found bags packed with mobile phones, bank cards, and documents tying them to fraud.
- Despite being bailed out, Kowalski and Packowska brazenly kept claiming benefits they weren’t entitled to.
- They were re-arrested in August 2021 and later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and possession of criminal property.
Justice Served at Canterbury Crown Court
On 24 June 2024, both 28-year-olds were sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court. The probe was led by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate with help from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Detective Constable Stuart Tracey blasted: “Wojciech Kowalski and Wiktoria Packowska abused the benefits system and cheated their way to vast sums of money intended for people who needed it more than they did.”
“They crafted multiple fake identities and even lied about their address at the Channel Tunnel arrest, but they couldn’t dodge justice. Now, both are behind bars where they belong.”
