A 'persistent liar' has been jailed for 15 months after admitting five charges of benefit fraud.
Amir Atoofi appeared at Isleworth Crown Court, where he admitted five counts of making dishonest claims for housing benefit.
He was also ordered to pay £14,228 costs and to repay the outstanding housing benefit overpayment of £9,836.
Judge Oliver described Atoofi as 'a persistent liar who knowingly and deliberately' entered into the fraud, which he called a clever scheme.
The defendant even set up a false trail leading investigators to a fake landlord.
Atoofi was charged with making five false representations with a view to obtaining housing benefit between June 2007 and July 2007, while failing to declare he held bank accounts and properties in Bristol and Earls Court. (£9,800 in one month?)
He was sentenced to 15 months on each count, to run concurrently.
After the case, Councillor Timothy Coleridge, cabinet member for housing, said: "This was a very calculated attempt by Amir Atoofi to claim benefits to which he was not entitled.
"I am very pleased that the court has taken such a dim view of his behaviour.
"We will continue to be vigilant and hope this sends a message out to anyone who may be tempted to make false claims."
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