Fraudster wept as judge handed down prison term
Adam Mejri, 47, broke down in the dock at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, begging for mercy as he was sentenced to 42 months in prison. The Department for Work and Pensions confirmed that Mejri had stolen over £160,000 in benefits and council support through a series of fraudulent claims, including more than £52,000 in employment support allowance, around £107,000 in housing benefit, and £4,000 in council tax support.
The court heard that Mejri used a false identity to pose as the tenant of an empty flat near Grenfell Tower, attempting to access a £5,000 support fund for residents affected by the 2017 fire. The real tenant had left the UK, and Mejri produced identity documents in that person's name to gain entry to the property.
Attempts to exploit Grenfell tragedy
In March 2018, Mejri visited the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council offices, claiming to be the tenant of the empty flat. The council removed a metal security door from the property, but officials grew suspicious of his identity and ultimately withheld the compensation payment. Mejri also redirected the former tenant's mail to other addresses and began sub-letting the flat for £1,200 per month.
In July 2019, he used the same false identity to claim universal credit. However, he consistently missed Jobcentre appointments, citing physical and mental health issues. Police later discovered that his Facebook account showed he was in Saudi Arabia during many of those missed appointments.
Additional fraudulent activities
Prosecutors revealed that Mejri simultaneously claimed employment support allowance and housing benefit while earning income from sub-letting two other properties in Westminster. He failed to declare this income to Westminster Council. Mejri pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud and two counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change in circumstances.
Sentencing, His Honour Judge Baumgartner described Mejri as a “thoroughly dishonest person who preyed upon the innocence and misfortune of others.” Minister for Transformation Andrew Western commented: “This was a shocking and calculated fraud from a brazen criminal who stole a victim’s identity, exploited public support systems and even tried to profit from the tragedy of Grenfell.” Senior crown prosecutor Richard Powell added: “Mejri’s selfish actions took tens of thousands of pounds away from those who required genuine support and financial help.”
