Fraud investigators have recovered £1.2 million from businesses submitting bogus claims for cash support and people cheating the rates and adult social care systems. Trafford Council counter fraud and litigation team redeemed more than double last year compared to when the team was launched in 2017/18 when it clawed by £400,000.
A report to Trafford council's accounts and audit committee said the team had helped prevent 'a large number of false applications' that were submitted from succeeding. 'Robust checks' following the introduction of the Government's Business Support Grants in March 2020 were made to ensure claimant companies were eligible to receive them.
But it went on: "However, there was still a small amount that was paid as a result of applicants providing false documentation - most commonly false tenancy agreements - or failing to declare they had already vacated the premises before the schemes had been introduced and were therefore not eligible to receive payment.
