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Anh Nhu Nguyen Met Police

Man who claimed wife and child died in Grenfell Tower pleads guilty to fraud

Anh Nhu Nguyen claimed £12,500 in financial support after the fire.

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.

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.”

Read: First ‘fitness to teach’ hearing due to take place next week

More: Garda Superintendent says new report of 400,000 more falsified breath tests ‘could be described as a guesstimate’

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    Mute John Collins
    Favourite John Collins
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    Jul 20th 2015, 5:41 PM

    If seeing where trucks are made makes him happy then it’s just as valid as any other purchase.

    956
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    Mute Deborah Behan
    Favourite Deborah Behan
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    Jul 20th 2015, 6:34 PM

    Absolutely whatever floats his boat! Best of luck to him.

    473
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    Mute Tweety McTweeter
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    Jul 20th 2015, 8:36 PM

    Beats leaving it to the local publican

    233
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    Mute paul farrell
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    Jul 20th 2015, 5:45 PM

    Gaving money to the hospital a very generous gesture,fair play

    489
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    Mute Etheric Projection
    Favourite Etheric Projection
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    Jul 20th 2015, 5:36 PM

    Such a sceal about picking numbers and it transpires he wins on a quick pick.

    465
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    Mute Ben Redline
    Favourite Ben Redline
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    Jul 20th 2015, 5:44 PM

    Yeah right he’s telling the wife that story – dude is off to Thailand via Amsterdam.

    348
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    Mute Jack DaCosta
    Favourite Jack DaCosta
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    Jul 20th 2015, 6:01 PM

    10-4 buddy.
    Copy.
    Convoy comin thru.

    182
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    Mute patrick keenan
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    Jul 20th 2015, 6:55 PM

    Best of luck to him

    128
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    Mute Diarmuid Lucey
    Favourite Diarmuid Lucey
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    Jul 20th 2015, 5:46 PM

    He won’t even be able to buy a new Scania tractor unit with his “Lotto” winnings!

    74
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    Mute Diarmuid Lucey
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    Jul 20th 2015, 5:47 PM

    Poor man! Let’s have a whip around for him?

    25
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    Mute Wayne O'Fathaigh
    Favourite Wayne O'Fathaigh
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    Jul 20th 2015, 6:13 PM

    Average Scania 120,000.00

    110
    See 1 more reply ▾
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    Mute Kieran OKeeffe
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    Jul 20th 2015, 6:29 PM

    New R730 tractor unit is around 165 000 sterling..

    68
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    Mute jer hefner
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    Jul 20th 2015, 6:11 PM

    There’s a lot of stories in the media lately to do with lotto wins …

    73
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    Mute Peader O Harlaigh
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    Jul 20th 2015, 6:22 PM

    @ger, true. They are struggling and keep throwing out stories of lotto winners, best of luck to him!!

    62
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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello
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    Jul 20th 2015, 6:27 PM

    When I win the lotto I’m going to double the number of cats in our house to 18. Try and stop me.

    66
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    Mute Jason Presents
    Favourite Jason Presents
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    Jul 20th 2015, 6:03 PM

    Ever wondered what a 5 year old would do if they won the lotto?

    36
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    Mute Alan Ball
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    Jul 20th 2015, 6:22 PM

    Find somebody of legal age to claim it for them…

    161
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    Mute Larry Heffernan
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    Jul 20th 2015, 7:04 PM

    Just for an e-mail from a boy om Nigeria who needs help cashing in his win

    65
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    Mute Roland Kelly
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    Jul 21st 2015, 4:04 AM

    What a nice gesture ! Congratulations ! He could also visit the Paccar Trucks Leyland Assembly Plant, Lancs UK. Largest and most advanced Truck plant in Europe. (Worked there from 1991-1995)

    Or hop on the direct Aer Lingus flight to San Francisco and visit the immaculate Tesla Motors factory, here in the Silicon Valley.

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    Mute Mr T
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    Jul 21st 2015, 5:58 AM

    It annoys me that some muppet in dublin thought this was ‘out there’ enough to warrant an article. So what if he wants to go to see the Scania plant( it’s flipping amazing by the way) each to they’re own, but no some muppet at the journal has to metaphorically point and snicker, Slow news week.

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    Mute Syd
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    Jul 20th 2015, 10:31 PM

    I wish I was rich

    4
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    Mute Stephen Hamill
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    Jul 21st 2015, 1:12 AM

    Sorry shite sorry

    3
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