An Acton man who fraudulently claimed more than £174,000 in benefits has been sentenced to three years in prison.

Brahim Lounnas, 41, of Cotton Avenue, Acton appeared before Isleworth Crown Court on Monday, 16 January 2012.

A lengthy Ealing Council investigation showed Lounnas to be one of the worst fraud cases in the borough's history.

Lounnas used five false identities, over six years, to make fraudulent housing and council tax benefit claims for addresses in Ealing and Hammersmith and Fulham.

The bogus documents he used to support the false claims
included bank cards and statements, payslips, tenancy agreements and national insurance numbers.

Councillor Yvonne Johnson, cabinet member for finance and performance, said: "This is one of the worst cases of its kind. This was a very slick fraud on a massive scale so I’m pleased the judge agreed he should be jailed. I hope other would-be fraudsters will get the message that we will catch them and bring them to justice."

Lounnas, who was charged in February 2011, pleaded guilty to 13 benefit fraud offences. He was sentenced to serve three years in prison for each count, with the sentences to run concurrently.

The council is seeking a confiscation order to recover the stolen money at a hearing expected to take place in July.