Overview
- Dawn raids were carried out at addresses across south London and Berkshire with the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police.
- Investigators allege an organised group used hundreds of stolen identities to make fraudulent Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment claims.
- Money and items worth an estimated £150,000 were seized during the coordinated operation, according to the DWP.
- The four suspects were questioned under caution by DWP investigators and released on bail pending further enquiries.
- Transformation minister Andrew Western praised the joint effort as the DWP pursues wider goals to cut fraud and error after reporting £6.35bn in Universal Credit overpayments in 2024–25.