![Norfolk County Council has not said what the value of the alleged fraud is]()
Norfolk County Council has not disclosed the value of the alleged fraud. (Image: Gareth Fuller / PA Wire).
Another case under investigation involves “potential identity fraud,” but the council declined to provide any additional information.
Three cases involved funding arrangements for people receiving care.
One of these was closed with no further action due to insufficient evidence, while the other two are still ongoing. The council has not provided any additional information.
The sixth case involved a possible fraud over what the council described as “commercial funding agreements,” but it was closed because it was “unprofitable to pursue.”
The council stated that once its internal investigations revealed potential fraudulent activity, it would request separate police investigations.
The authority, which agreed on £45 million in cuts and savings in February, has yet to estimate the potential loss due to alleged fraud cases.
What does the council say?
A Norfolk County Council spokesman stated, “The council takes fraud very seriously and is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability.”
“We have robust measures in place to detect and prevent fraud, including whistleblowing processes, dedicated financial systems, comprehensive financial controls, regular audits, participation in the National Fraud Initiative, internal data matching processes, data matching between Norfolk local authorities via the Norfolk fraud hub, trained investigators, and mandatory anti-fraud training for employees.
“We encourage anyone with concerns to report them so that we can take swift action to protect public funds and maintain trust in our services.”
The report, which was discussed by the council’s audit and governance committee on Tuesday, April 29, also stated that Norfolk police are still investigating two previously reported criminal cases.
While the council has not revealed any additional information about either case, it is understood that one of the investigations involves fraud allegations regarding the council’s county farms estate.
![An investigation into alleged fraud relating to Norfolk County Council's County Farms estate is ongoing]()
An investigation into alleged fraud at Norfolk County Council’s County Farms estate is ongoing (image: Newsquest).
In 2020, a fraud investigation was launched, leading to the arrest of two men: one in his 50s from Wisbech and one in his 40s from Downham Market.
The two were questioned at the King’s Lynn Police Investigation Centre before being released.
Police have yet to make any more arrests, and no one has been charged, but the council report states that “further progress” has been made over the last six months.
READ MORE: Norwich pub scammer sentenced for 13-year £440,000 fraud.
A third case involving allegations about adult social care will also result in a trial for alleged fraud.
A suspect has been charged with two counts of fraud in adult social care totalling £80,000.
The papers stated that a trial date was set for October of this year, but the council has not provided any additional information.
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