Yacine Azouaou entered Britain in 1999 from France on the undercarriage of a lorry. He then acquired a fake French passport and identity card using the alias Said Fassih.
He was rumbled when the police and council visited his home in Shepherds Bush and he showed his French passport as a proof of identification.
The passport was checked with the French Embassy who confirmed that while it was legitimate, the photo inside was different from the one that had been provided to Hammersmith & Fulham Council for the purpose of claiming benefits.
In a police interview Azouaou admitted that he had been working under his false name since 2004. He said that he had claimed benefits from August 2011 when he had injured his leg and was unable to work.
When he was asked why he had not worked or claimed under his real name he said that he was in fact from Algeria and that he had no right to be in the country.
Azouaou pleaded guilty to one charge of fraud and two charges of holding fake identity documents at Isleworth Crown Court.
He was jailed for eight months, having already served 47 days on remand.
Cllr Greg Smith, cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “This man had no right to be in this country, let alone to claim benefits. He thought that by using a fake name and fake identity papers he would be able to fool the system and cheat the taxpayer out of money. I hope that Azouaou takes a long hard look at himself when he is sitting in his cell and realises that fraud does not pay.”
In total, he defrauded the Council out of £4,100 of housing benefit and £270 of council tax benefit.
- We shouldn't be paying taxes to keep him in prison. He should be expelled immediately.
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