A Nigerian couple, Luciana and Femi Akanbi, have been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison in the United Kingdom for their role in a major tax fraud scheme involving stolen personal data from employees of Transport for London.
The case, heard at Woolwich Crown Court, was described by the presiding judge, David Miller, as the most serious data breach in the transport agency’s history.
Luciana Akanbi, 38, who worked in the human resources department of TfL, unlawfully accessed sensitive information belonging to her colleagues, including passport details, National Insurance numbers, and banking records. Prosecutors revealed that the couple used the data of at least 40 employees to file 139 fraudulent tax rebate claims with HM Revenue and Customs.
The fraudulent activity, which took place between September 2021 and January 2022, led to a loss of more than £433,000, while the total value of claims submitted approached £650,000.
According to prosecutor Andrew Evans, the scheme was highly organised and involved extensive planning, as well as a significant number of victims. Funds obtained from the fraud were quickly channelled through a complex money laundering network.
Investigations showed that approximately £66,000 was traced to Femi Akanbi’s account, while about £16,000 was linked to Luciana. However, the court determined that the couple benefited far beyond those amounts.
The court also heard that financial difficulties played a role in the crime, with Femi reportedly developing a gambling problem following illness during the COVID-19 period. Over £50,000 of the stolen funds was said to have been spent on gambling.
Judge Miller noted that Luciana initially attempted to shift responsibility by suggesting a relative in the IT sector might have been involved. However, the court found both defendants to be key figures in the operation, stressing that the breach was made possible by Luciana’s trusted position within the organisation.
The judge highlighted the impact on victims, noting that affected employees suffered financial disruption and damage to their credit ratings. Despite the scale of the fraud, no compensation order was issued due to the couple’s lack of recoverable assets.
In response, TfL stated that it has since strengthened its data protection systems to prevent similar incidents. Meanwhile, HMRC reiterated its commitment to prosecuting individuals who attempt to exploit the tax system.
Authorities also indicated that the couple may face deportation after completing their prison sentences.