A married couple has been sentenced to prison after unlawfully obtaining personal data from over 100 Transport for London (TfL) employees and using it to submit fraudulent tax rebate claims amounting to nearly £650,000.
Luciana Akanbi, 38, who was employed in HR at TfL, accessed sensitive staff information without authorization, including passport details, National Insurance numbers, and banking records. She and her husband, Femi Akanbi, 51, then used the information to file 139 false tax rebate applications with HMRC.
Woolwich Crown Court was told the crimes occurred between September 2021 and January 2022, leading to losses exceeding £433,000 in public funds. Evidence showed Luciana accessed 107 employee records, with 40 identities used in the fraudulent claims.
Both were handed prison sentences of three years and nine months each, with Judge David Miller describing the case as the most severe data breach in TfL’s history. He noted that the incident forced the organization to review its systems and had a negative impact on staff morale and operations.
Prosecutors explained that the scheme was carefully organized, involving multiple devices to set up fake self-assessment accounts. A significant portion of the stolen funds was rapidly transferred through complex laundering methods.
The court also heard that financial strain and gambling losses played a role, with over £50,000 reportedly deposited into gambling accounts. Although some funds were traced back to the couple, most had already been spent.
TfL officials stated that the fraud redirected substantial funds that could have supported public services, adding that stronger data protection measures have since been put in place.
HMRC also emphasized that individuals who attempt to exploit the tax system will face investigation and legal consequences.
AB