Transport for London licensed Uber driver fined after pleading guilty to benefits fraud

A Transport for London Uber driver failed to reveal he was a private hire driver when he claimed benefits St Albans Magistrates Court heard. Murat Coker, from Watford, has been ordered to pay £619 for failing to disclose his working status while claiming state benefits. Coker chose not to tell Watford Borough Council that he had a Transport for London private hire licence and had been working on the ride-hailing platform since 2015 and went on to claim £2,355 in benefits. Fraud investigators from the council made checks through the National Fraud Initiative after they discovered Coker had not been honest in his application. Coker was interviewed in May under caution, where he admitted to falsely claiming the £2,355 worth of benefits. He pleaded guilty to one charge under the Fraud Act 2006.

He was issued a financial penalty of £335, as well as costs of £284 for prosecution and victim surcharge.

As reported by the Watford Observer, arrangements are being made to pay the benefits back. Peter Taylor, Elected Mayor of Watford, said: “Our consistent success in prosecuting benefit fraud sends a clear message that it will not be tolerated. It is a great example of how we ensure money is not taken illegally out of the public purse.”