A man was sentenced to 42 months in prison for using a false identity to fraudulently claim a flat near Grenfell Tower and attempting to access funds allocated for survivors of the 2017 fire, according to Southwark Crown Court. Adam Mejri, 47, pleaded for leniency as he was found guilty of multiple fraudulent activities.

The Department for Work and Pensions disclosed that Mejri unlawfully obtained over £160,000 in benefits and council aid, comprising approximately £52,000 from deceptive employment support allowance claims, about £107,000 in housing benefits, and £4,000 in local council tax support.

Prosecutors revealed that Mejri persistently sought a £5,000 financial aid package designated for individuals impacted by the Grenfell Tower tragedy. In a specific incident in March 2018, Mejri falsely represented himself as the lawful tenant of an unoccupied residence neighboring the tower. Despite his efforts to claim compensation meant for the genuine tenant, authorities grew suspicious of his identity, and the funds were never disbursed.

Moreover, Mejri redirected the former tenant’s mail to alternate addresses and illicitly sublet the property for £1,200 monthly. In another instance, he allegedly applied for universal credit using the same falsified identity but evaded official appointments by feigning illness and incapacity for work.

Further investigations uncovered that Mejri was concurrently receiving benefits while profiting from subletting two other properties in Westminster, failing to declare this income to the local council.

The court convicted Mejri on two counts of fraud and two counts of failing to report changes in circumstances. His dishonest actions were condemned by Judge Baumgartner as exploitative and manipulative, preying on the vulnerability of others.

Minister for Transformation Andrew Western condemned Mejri’s deceitful scheme as a deliberate and audacious act of fraud, exploiting public resources and attempting to capitalize on the Grenfell tragedy. Senior crown prosecutor Richard Powell criticized Mejri for diverting significant financial aid from those genuinely in need of support.