'Fake Grenfell victim' held on suspicion of fraud
UK News
'Fake Grenfell victim' held on suspicion of fraud
A 52-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of fraudulently claiming to have lost family members in the Grenfell Tower disaster. The man is alleged to have attempted to gain money and housing by pretending relatives had died in the blaze. It is alleged he came forward in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy and family liaison officers were assigned to him after he claimed he had lost his wife and son in the blaze.
However, we will robustly investigate any information about anyone who seeks to capitalise on the suffering of so many.
Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Fiona McCormack
Scotland Yard said he attempted to claim financial support after stating he had lost all his property. Police launched an investigation after there were inconsistencies in the man's stories. They also spoke to residents of the flat within Grenfell Tower where he claimed to live who confirmed he did not live at the address. Further inquiries revealed the man lived 20 miles away in Bromley, south east London and did not have a wife or child.