A MAN who claimed he was partially blind has been sentenced for defrauding Brent Council of more than £100,000.
Kelvin Kalloo, 35, claimed money from social services after declaring he was partially sighted and permanently disabled as a result of a car crash. However, a council investigation tracked him driving three different vehicles, walking unaided and working at a family business in Watford Market.
Kalloo was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court on Wednesday, March 27 to 30 months in prison.
He had denied 10 counts of fraud throughout the seven-week trial, but the jury returned unanimous verdicts and he was convicted in December last year of 10 counts of fraud against Brent and Central Bedfordshire councils between 2002 and 2010.
The court heard Kalloo had claimed £106,687.40 in all.
He claimed direct payments from Adult Social Services in Brent to help with his care needs and failed to disclose to either authority that he was related to his carer – his wife – that he had income and, at times, up to four properties.
Kalloo, of Tithe Farm Road, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, made a further fraudulent claim to Central Bedfordshire Council between 2009 and 2010 for about £5,700.
He also obtained a Blue Badge from Brent in connection with his claimed disabilities.
In 2008, Brent Council undertook an anti-fraud initiative and visited Kalloo’s home in Kilburn, where investigators noted a letter addressed to his supposed carer at the same address.
Further investigation led to covert surveillance being undertaken by investigator’s for Brent Council.
Kalloo was arrested in October 2008 and a police search of his property found evidence of his income and additional bank accounts.
Councillor Ruth Moher, Brent’s lead member for corporate resources, said: “I welcome the sentence against Kalloo. Fraud against the social care system directly affects some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
“Brent Council is determined to root out fraud in this and all our services and take the strongest possible action against fraudsters.”
