Grenfell conman admits £81k fraud

A CONMAN who claimed he lived in Grenfell Tower so he could pocket £81,000 in public aid pleaded guilty to fraud yesterday.

Yonatan Eyob is the first British-born fraudster to be convicted of stealing money put aside for survivors.

He was put up in a Hilton in central London and given an allowance after claiming he survived the inferno.

Eyob, 26, said he had lived in flat 182 on the 21st floor for six months before the fire ripped through the West London building last June, killing 72 people.

The apartment was really home to the El Wahabi family, a married couple and their three young children who all perished that night.

Eyob, who lived with his parents yards from the tower, admitted fraud by false representation at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday. Investigators realised Eyob had never lived in the tower after interviewing survivors and relatives of the El Wahabis. CCTV showed he had not entered the flat.

Marcia Evans, prosecuting, said Eyob obtained money and accommodation to the value of £81,000.

Five fraudsters have already been jailed for claiming public funds and charitable donations by pretending to be Grenfell survivors.

They included two Jamaican illegal immigrants who lied about living in the tower so they could stay in the UK. They pocketed £125,000 in public aid.

Eyob will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on August 24 for the Grenfell fraud and possession of drugs with intent to supply. He was remanded in custody.