Police issue arrest warrant for Zeba Akhtar in £80,000 benefits fraud
A LECIESTER woman wanted in connection with benefit fraud is believed to have fled to Pakistan.
Zeba Akhtar was due at Leicester Crown Court to face charges of falsely claiming nearly £80,000 in benefits.
But after she failed to turn up and an arrest warrant was issued. Police believe she may have fled to Pakistan.
Her partner Aquil Egbewo was jailed for eight months at Leicester crown Court for his part in the fraud.
The court was told both Akhtar and Egbewo had legitimately made a claim for benefits including unemployment benefits, council tax and housing benefit, and incapacity benefit.
But when Egbewo started work as a police officer with Leicestershire Constabulary he failed to notify the authorities.
Egbewo pleaded guilty to his part in the benefit fraud, which involved a total overpayment of £77,389.43.
Leicester City Council’s revenues and benefits investigations manager, Stuart Limb, said: “This case sends out a strong message that we will investigate anyone suspected of committing benefit fraud.
“In this case, the fraudulent claims took place over a long period, and involved a huge amount of money.”
