A man has been sentenced to 42 months in jail for using a false identity to fraudulently claim a flat near Grenfell Tower and attempting to access funds meant for victims of the 2017 fire, according to Southwark Crown Court. Adam Mejri, 47, pleaded for leniency as he was found guilty of multiple deceitful claims.
The Department for Work and Pensions revealed that Mejri obtained over £160,000 through illegitimate benefit and council support claims. This included more than £52,000 in false employment support allowance applications, around £107,000 in housing benefit claims, and £4,000 in council tax support.
Prosecutors stated that Mejri made repeated efforts to access a £5,000 support fund designated for Grenfell Tower survivors. In a deceptive move in March 2018, Mejri visited the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council offices pretending to be the tenant of an unoccupied flat near the tower, which the actual tenant had vacated.
Using forged identity papers in the tenant’s name, Mejri convinced the council to remove a security door obstructing the flat entrance. He then persistently sought the compensation payment intended for the genuine tenant but was thwarted due to suspicions about his identity.
Additionally, Mejri redirected the former tenant’s mail to different addresses and illicitly sublet the flat for £1,200 per month. Later on, in July 2019, he allegedly applied for universal credit using the same false identity.
Despite claiming to be unfit for work due to physical and mental health issues, Mejri evaded Jobcentre appointments by falsely citing his condition. Investigations into his Facebook account revealed that he was abroad in Saudi Arabia during the missed appointments.
Prosecutors highlighted that Mejri was simultaneously receiving employment support allowance and housing benefits while profiting from subletting two other properties in Westminster without disclosing this income to the council.
Having admitted to two counts of fraud and two counts of failing to report changes in circumstances, Mejri was condemned by Judge Baumgartner as a “thoroughly dishonest individual who exploited the vulnerability of others.” Minister for Transformation Andrew Western condemned Mejri’s actions as a “shocking and calculated fraud,” emphasizing his exploitation of public systems and the tragedy of Grenfell.
Senior crown prosecutor Richard Powell criticized Mejri for diverting funds meant for those genuinely in need, stating that his actions had deprived many of essential financial support.