Affordable Housing Scam Exposed: Fraudsters Exploited Desperate Tenants

In a concerning case of housing fraud, the City of London Police have arrested two individuals over allegations that they accepted cash bribes to help people jump long affordable housing waiting lists in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham.

The investigation, which has been ongoing for several months, suggests that some housing officers may have fraudulently allocated hundreds of homes in the area over the past four years. Authorities believe the suspects used social media to lure prospective tenants, offering them a way to obtain affordable housing more quickly in exchange for inflated rents and "finders fees."

The Labour-controlled Barking and Dagenham Council's counter-corruption team has been assisting the police investigation. Council leader Dominic Twomey expressed his satisfaction with the proactive work of the fraud team, stating that they are constantly looking into any concerns of corruption or illegal activities to ensure public money is being spent appropriately.

Waiting lists for affordable housing have been increasing across the UK due to a shortage of supply. In Barking and Dagenham, it is estimated that at current rates, it would take over 15 years for a family joining the back of the queue to be allocated a three-bedroom home. Housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa has said that he has heard similar reports of corruption from people far beyond the Barking and Dagenham area, suggesting the issue may be more widespread.

The police have appealed for potential victims to come forward as they continue their investigation into the allocation of properties between November 2020 and December 2024. Authorities are determined to expose and root out any exploitation of vulnerable individuals seeking affordable housing.