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The police say they believe \u201cseveral hundred\u201d council homes \u201cwere fraudulently allocated”<\/p>\nThe police say they believe \u201cseveral hundred\u201d council homes \u201cwere fraudulently allocated to members of the community”<\/p>\n
11:41, 05 Sep 2025Updated 17:42, 05 Sep 2025<\/p>\n
The police say they believe \u201cseveral hundred\u201d council homes \u201cwere fraudulently allocated”<\/p>\n
\u201cCorrupt\u201d council staff let out hundreds of council homes \u201cfor personal council gain\u201d in a major fraud racket, police have said. Barking and Dagenham Council<\/a> and the City of London Police <\/a>announced that two people were arrested on Thursday morning (September 4th) after months of investigation. The police say they believe \u201cseveral hundred\u201d council homes \u201cwere fraudulently allocated to members of the community by LBBD [London Borough of Barking and Dagenham] corrupt housing officers\u201d.<\/p>\n In a statement published today, City of London Police says it has evidence that many of the fraudulently-let homes were \u201csub let by associates\u201d of the corrupt housing officers. It says prospective tenants were given contacts that could help them get affordable housing in the borough after answering adverts on social media. The force says that these tenants \u201cpaid fraudsters \u2018finders fees\u2019 and inflated rents\u201d. It adds: \u201cSome rents were paid in part to LBBD and some were not.\u201d<\/p>\n The council confirmed that it, and its wholly-owned housing company BD Reside, were working with City of London Police on its investigation \u201cfollowing months of intelligence gathering\u201d. It says police raided five homes in Dagenham and Essex this morning and arrested two people.<\/p>\n The council says it can\u2019t release further information as the investigation \u2013 known as Operation Chandrila \u2013 is ongoing. But it appealed for anyone who has information to report it directly to the police.<\/p>\n Council leader Dominic Twomey said the council fraud team\u2019s \u201cproactive work\u201d had helped lead to the arrests. He said: \u201cHuge thanks go to our colleagues at City of London Police for the work they\u2019ve done so far working in collaboration with the council and BD Reside.<\/p>\n \u201cNow we wait to see what happens as the investigation unfolds, but I would encourage anyone who feels they have information that could help \u2013 no matter how small or irrelevant it may seem \u2013 to come forward.\u201d<\/p>\n Anyone with information can provide it at https:\/\/mipp.police.uk\/operation\/4801020125R39-PO1 or email OPChandrila@cityoflondon.police.uk<\/p>\n