Kent delivery driver who impersonated 26 friends and family members to steal £172,000 in benefits is jailed for 40 months

Atikur Rahman, 34, of Margate, Kent, ran a six-year scheme stealing identities from 26 friends and relatives, fabricating children, payslips and medical records to make over 40 bogus benefit claims between July 2015 and May 2021. His gambling addiction consumed the stolen funds and ultimately cost him his family home. He was jailed for 40 months and handed an eight-year director disqualification at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday.

Rahman's cover was blown in 2018 when one of his victims tried to claim their own benefits and staff grew suspicious.

He also attempted to steal £62,000 through 20 fake Eat Out to Help Out registrations — HMRC blocked every payment.

Rahman fabricated maternity allowance forms ordinarily completed by midwives, referencing a real medical centre where patients had no pregnancy records.