Mother of three Bolanle Shote from Basildon in Essex made multiple false claims to HMRC for tax credits, starting in February 2003. In her initial claim she said she was a single parent, and continued to maintain this for claims until August 2012. At this point she amended her claim, telling HMRC that her husband had moved in with her.

Suspicions were raised after initial routine enquiries were made by the tax credits office. An investigation found that between 2003 and 2012 Shote had made joint mortgage and loan applications and revealed that she had in fact lived with her husband during the whole period of her claim.

Shote, who resigned from HMRC in November 2013, pleaded guilty to ten offences of dishonestly claiming tax credits and was sentenced to eight months in prison.

The judge at Basildon Crown Court said: ‘This was a fraud from the outset which continued for over eight years and this, together with the amount involved, means that I have no option but to impose an immediate custodial sentence.’

Shote repaid the total amount fraudulently claimed to HMRC prior to sentencing.

Cheryl Turton, senior manager, HMRC, said: ‘Shote was employed by HMRC and knew full well that lying about her personal circumstances was fraud. She went to great lengths to hide her true situation from her colleagues and employer.’