Tag #Pandemic Relief

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dutchnews.nl

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Jun 12, 13:11

Dutch Businesses Potentially Overclaimed €740 Million in Covid-19 Wage Support

A study by the Central Planning Bureau (CPB) reveals that Dutch businesses may have wrongly claimed €740 million in Covid-19 wage support (NOW scheme) by overstating losses; nearly 40% of a sample overreported losses compared to their VAT declarations, averaging €8,000 each.

Dutch Businesses Potentially Overclaimed €740 Million in Covid-19 Wage Support

A study by the Central Planning Bureau (CPB) reveals that Dutch businesses may have wrongly claimed €740 million in Covid-19 wage support (NOW scheme) by overstating losses; nearly 40% of a sample overreported losses compared to their VAT declarations, averaging €8,000 each.

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How did the design of the NOW scheme incentivize the misreporting of revenue, and what percentage of businesses in the sample were involved?

The research, published in ESB, compared self-reported revenue losses to actual VAT declarations. The average overpayment per business was €8,000. The researchers attribute this to a financial incentive, as companies risked repaying advances if they didn't meet the minimum loss threshold.

bbc.com

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Apr 15, 22:17

£710,000 Greggs Fraud Results in Four-Year Jail Sentence

Aftab Baig, 47, of Glasgow, defrauded Leeds City Council of £710,000 in Covid-19 relief funds by falsely claiming to manage 32 Greggs branches in May 2020, receiving a four-year prison sentence.

£710,000 Greggs Fraud Results in Four-Year Jail Sentence

Aftab Baig, 47, of Glasgow, defrauded Leeds City Council of £710,000 in Covid-19 relief funds by falsely claiming to manage 32 Greggs branches in May 2020, receiving a four-year prison sentence.

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How did Baig execute his fraud, and what measures did he take to conceal his actions?

Baig's fraud involved contacting the council, obtaining branch details under false pretenses, and applying for rates relief. He received £710,000, transferring £95,000 before his account was frozen. The judge noted the fraud was part of a larger group effort to exploit government funds during a national crisis.

forbes.com

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May 23, 22:10

Georgia Residents Sentenced in $30 Million Unemployment Fraud Scheme

Three Georgia residents were sentenced to prison for their roles in a scheme that defrauded the Georgia Department of Labor of over $30 million in pandemic unemployment benefits, using stolen identities to file over 5,000 fraudulent claims between March 2020 and November 2022.

Georgia Residents Sentenced in $30 Million Unemployment Fraud Scheme

Three Georgia residents were sentenced to prison for their roles in a scheme that defrauded the Georgia Department of Labor of over $30 million in pandemic unemployment benefits, using stolen identities to file over 5,000 fraudulent claims between March 2020 and November 2022.

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How did the defendants obtain the personally identifiable information (PII) used to file the fraudulent unemployment claims?

The scheme, operating from March 2020 to November 2022, involved creating fictitious employers and employee lists using personally identifiable information (PII) obtained through identity theft and illicit access to hospital patient data. The fraudulent claims were submitted online, with funds disbursed via prepaid debit cards. This highlights the vulnerability of online systems to large-scale fraud during times of crisis.

abcnews.go.com

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Mar 20, 04:13

Guilty Verdict in $250 Million COVID-19 Fraud Case

A Minnesota jury convicted Aimee Bock, founder of Feeding Our Future, and Salim Ahmed Said on all counts in a $250 million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme, the largest in the U.S., involving conspiracy, wire fraud, bribery, and attempts to bribe a juror and tamper with witnesses.

Guilty Verdict in $250 Million COVID-19 Fraud Case

A Minnesota jury convicted Aimee Bock, founder of Feeding Our Future, and Salim Ahmed Said on all counts in a $250 million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme, the largest in the U.S., involving conspiracy, wire fraud, bribery, and attempts to bribe a juror and tamper with witnesses.

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How did the attempts to bribe a juror and tamper with witnesses affect the trial and highlight weaknesses in the system?

The scheme involved conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery, highlighting a systemic failure to prevent fraud within the COVID-19 relief programs. The case also involved attempts to bribe a juror and tamper with witnesses, further demonstrating the depth of corruption. Only about $60 million of the stolen funds have been recovered.

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