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A MAN WHO falsely claimed to have lost family members in the Grenfell Tower fire has pleaded guilty to fraud after gaining money and housing.
Anh Nhu Nguyen (52), from Beckenham Road in Bromley, England, appeared at Southwark Crown Court today and pleaded guilty to three fraud offences.
Detectives from London’s Metropolitan Police launched an investigation after suspicions were raised about the validity of Nguyen’s claims.
Nguyen came forward to authorities in the immediate aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire, which happened on 14 June, and was assigned family liaison officers after he claimed that he lost his wife and son in the fire.
He gave officers a very detailed account of how he lost sight of his wife and son as they tried to leave Grenfell Tower.
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He claimed that he was taken to St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington and treated for smoke inhalation. However, hospital checks show that he has never been there.
Nguyen claimed £12,500 financial support after claiming he had also lost all his property during the fire and was provided with emergency hotel accommodation.
Police discovered clear inconsistencies in his story and spoke to nearby residents of the flat within Grenfell Tower that Nguyen claimed to live in. They all confirmed that the man didn’t live at the address.
Officers then traced the real address in Bromley where Nguyen was living at the time of the fire and it was established then that he did not, in fact, have a wife or child.
Nguyen was arrested on Wednesday 28 June on suspicion of fraud. He was charged the following day.
“The distress and suffering caused to so many that night in June is harrowing. People lost their homes, all their possessions and tragically their families and loved ones,” Detective chief inspector Matthew Bonner said.
Not only did Nguyen take money, housing and clothing intended for genuine victims, he diverted police time and resources away from those who most need it.
“We will investigate anyone who we think is fraudulently profiting from the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower.”
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