Coventry woman sentenced for rail compensation scam

The group used dozens of different names and addresses to commit their crimes between 2010 and 2015, British Transport Police said. Credit: BTP.

A woman from Coventry has received a suspended sentence for her part in a scam which cost rail networks over £50,000.

Elizabeth Howell of Dovedale Avenue admitted charges of conspiracy to defraud and entering into or becoming concerned in a money-laundering arrangement.

It comes after two former Southern rail workers were jailed for the scam to make almost £100,000 worth of false train delay compensation claims.

Abiodun Bamidele and fellow Southern worker Jeffrey Opoku were among a total of four people convicted over the delay repay fraud.

The pair, alongside Howell and George Omole Wangboje, were involved in making 350 claims to the value of £98,000, of which almost £55,000 was paid out.

The group, headed by ringleader Bamidele, used dozens of different names and addresses to commit their crimes between 2010 and 2015, British Transport Police said.

Jeffrey Opoku Credit: BTP.

Many of the payouts were made in the form of travel vouchers, which were often sold on or used to buy season tickets according to officers.

The group were uncovered when their handwriting was recognised on the countless claims made as they joked about being 'train robbers.'

Detective Sergeant Nick Thompson said:

Many of the payouts were made in the form of travel vouchers, which were often sold on or used to buy season tickets according to officers. Credit: BTP.

Bamidele, 54, of Cuthbert Road, London, will serve four years in jail afterpleading guilty to charges including conspiracy to defraud and moneylaundering.

Opoku, of Aytoun Road, London, and Howell, of Dovedale Avenue, Coventry, admitted charges of conspiracy to defraud and entering into or becoming concerned in a money-laundering arrangement.

Opoku, 55, was jailed for two years while 46-year-old Howell was given asuspended sentence and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

Wangboje was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and using a false instrument with intent.

The 58-year-old, of Little Grove Field, Harlow, Essex, was given a suspended sentence and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.

Bamidele was sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court on Thursday while Opoku, Howell and Wangboje were sentenced at the same court last Friday.