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This case illustrates the need to scrutinise the value of claims for payment and the authenticity of supporting documents.
The Jubilee Line Extension was a major multi-million pound undertaking and investment by London Underground. This project involved the compulsory purchase of large amounts of land and buildings. Part of the compulsory purchases concerned railway arches leased by Railtrack to different companies. One of these companies was a shipping and freight forwarding company.
Under the terms of the Compulsory Order scheme, London Underground assessed that this company was due a compensation of about £25,000. The actual claim from the proprietor of the business was for £433,500, a difference of more than £400,000. This claim was based on loss of business through customers not knowing where the company was, cancelled shipping orders, plus refurbishment and advertising costs for new premises. The documents submitted to support the claim gave cause for suspicion and London Underground asked the British Transport Police to investigate.
The proprietor of the company cited companies abroad, with whom he alleged trade would be impaired. He also made reference to three companies with which he claimed to trade in the UK. Two of these did not exist at all and the third ceased to trade several years before.
Enquiries identified an accomplice who used premises in East London. Documents supporting the claims against London Underground were shown to have been produced on typewriters at these premises, though the documents purported to come from West Africa as well as the UK.
Forensic evidence, proving the origin of these documents, was used in the prosecution case. The proprietor was convicted in relation to the fraudulent claim and was sentenced to a term of imprisonment.
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