London: A minicab driver who claimed to be earning 700 pounds a month and whose wife was claiming benefits in Britain despite owning mansion back home in Nigeria has been penalised 1.2 million pounds (around $19,45,000).
Ovo Mayomi and his wife Juliet Ubiribo were convicted of fraud for falsely claiming 43,000 pounds in benefits, Daily Mail reported.
Mayomi, 44, claimed he was earning 700 pounds a month and living in Croydon, south London, while his wife claimed benefits by claiming to be a single mother and a victim of domestic violence .
Investigators have now discovered that Mayomi owned a large luxurious house in Nigeria worth over 1 million pounds complete with chandeliers and 89,000 pounds worth of sound equipment.
Mayomi also had a 25,000 pounds watch. His wife wore a Rolex watch and drove a Mercedes Sport Coupe.
A judge has ordered Mayomi to pay 1,197,743 pounds in a confiscation order under the Proceeds Of Crime Act, or go to prison for six years.
First Published: Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 23:27