Manager Conned Housing Charity Employer

A tenancy manager, who swindled £100,000 out of a housing charity he worked for, has been jailed for two years and four months.

Gael Ikobonga, 32, took control of several flats and rented them out himself – even moving into one with his girlfriend for two years.

Ikobonga, of Rush Green Road, Romford used his employers' letter-headed paper to secure contracts with tenants, but gave his bank details for receipt of rent.

Southwark Crown Court heard he worked for a housing company that leased properties on behalf of a charity which, as part of its services, provides housing for individuals who need support.

Ikobonga had responsibility for a block of flats in Canning Town, east London and falsely marked several of the properties as 'returned to landlord'.

He then sub-letted them himself, with bank statements revealing rent from four flats between January, 2016 and November, 2018.

The majority of the money was spent on his gambling habit.

Acting Detective Inspector Martin Enever, from the North East Economic Crime Command, said: “Ikobonga stole money from a charity that helps those in need to fuel his gambling addiction; with not a thought of the impact his actions would have. 

“Employee fraud is a serious offence, which the Met is committed to investigating. Employers can help by always remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity to Action Fraud.”