Fraudulent Grenfell claims cost £751,000

GRENFELL TOWER fraudsters have falsely claimed a total of £775,000, new figures reveal, with police only recovering £24,000.

Sixteen criminals have been convicted of siphoning off funds by posing as people affected by the inferno that killed 72 people in west London. They made claims to the victims’ fund totalling £775,000 after the fire in June 2017. Police have so far recovered £24,000, meaning £751,000 is still missing.

The figures emerged at a Kensington and Chelsea council meeting last week when Judith Blakeman, a Notting Dale Labour member, questioned Kim Taylor-smith, the deputy council leader.

Ms Blakeman said some families of victims had warned the council that fraudsters were trying to profit from their suffering. “In at least two cases, bereaved family members advised the council that people were claiming money fraudulently,” she said.

Mr Taylor-smith confirmed that there had been 16 prosecutions of fraudsters who received jail terms ranging from one to six years, and that the cash recovered so far had been funnelled back into the fund. Among those convicted was the council’s former finance manager, Jenny Mcdonagh.

The 39-year-old joined the council under the pretence of helping survivors, but went on to steal £62,000 intended for the victims.

Last month, Daniel Steventon, 37, from Kilburn, was jailed for three years and six months. He said he was living with a survivor of the fire, and claimed £75,225 in housing, services and financial support.

There was £28,981,945 raised for Grenfell victims as of January 2019, according to the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Police are still investigating allegations of fraud connected with the disaster. Much more money may have been taken than is currently known.