A Nigerian couple, Luciana and Femi Akanbi, have been jailed in the United Kingdom after being convicted of orchestrating a large-scale tax fraud scheme involving the stolen personal data of Transport for London (TfL) employees.
The case was heard at Woolwich Crown Court, where prosecutors revealed that the couple used confidential information belonging to at least 40 TfL staff to submit fraudulent tax rebate claims between September 2021 and January 2022.
Court documents showed that Luciana Akanbi, 38, who worked in TfL’s human resources department, had access to the personal records of about 107 employees. She was found to have exploited her position to obtain sensitive data, including passport details, National Insurance numbers, and banking information.
Using the stolen identities, the couple created multiple self-assessment accounts and filed 139 fake tax refund claims with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), operating through at least 38 electronic devices from various locations.
Although the fraudulent claims totalled nearly £650,000, authorities confirmed the actual loss to the UK government exceeded £433,000.
Investigators said the illicit funds were quickly moved through a complex laundering network, making recovery difficult. Around £66,000 was traced to Femi Akanbi’s account and £16,000 to Luciana’s, though the court found their overall benefit was significantly higher. More than £50,000 was also spent on gambling.
During sentencing, Judge David Miller described the case as the most serious data breach in TfL’s history, noting that the fraud was highly sophisticated and caused severe harm to victims whose personal data was misused.
The court also dismissed Luciana Akanbi’s attempt to blame a relative, ruling that her position within TfL enabled the offence. It further declined to issue a compensation order, citing the couple’s lack of recoverable assets.
TfL said it had since strengthened its internal data protection systems, while HMRC reiterated its commitment to prosecuting tax fraud. Authorities also suggested the couple could face deportation after completing their sentences.
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