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The aftermath of the fire PA Wire/PA Images

Man falsely claimed his wife and son died in Grenfell fire to get money and housing

The 52-year-old was arrested in London.

A 52-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested by police in London on suspicion of fraudulently attempting to gain money and housing by pretending he had lost family members in the Grenfell Tower fire.

The man came forward in the immediate aftermath and was assigned family liaison officers after he claimed that he lost his wife and son in the fire.

He attempted to claim financial support, stating he had lost all his property.

A police investigation started after it became apparent there were inconsistencies in the man’s story. Police spoke to residents within Grenfell Tower who confirmed that the man did not live at the address.

Relatives of the resident of the flat the man claimed to live in have been spoken to by their family liaison officers and made aware of this investigation.

Officers have also traced the address in Bromley where the man was living at the time of the fire, which has been independently confirmed. It has also been established that the man does not have a wife or child.

Police said the investigation is connected to fraud and not linked to sub-letting or immigration matters. Detectives believe the man was working alone.

The death toll in the fire at the apartment block earlier this month has yet to be confirmed, but at least 80 people died.

‘Distress and suffering’ 

Detective Superintendent Fiona McCormack of the Metropolitan Police said: ”The distress and suffering caused to so many families and loved ones that night is harrowing.

That night people lost their homes, all their possessions and tragically their families and loved ones. The focus of all of us should be on supporting victims and families, recovering loved ones from Grenfell Tower and investigating the fire.

“I have made it clear that we are not interested in investigating things such as sub-letting or immigration matters as I want their help – and do not want there to be any hidden victims of this tragedy.

“However, we will robustly investigate any information about anyone who seeks to capitalise on the suffering of so many.”

The man was arrested yesterday evening and is in custody at a west London police station.

Read: Deadline missed: No deal reached in Stormont talks

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24 Comments
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    Mute Mary Lyons
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    Jun 29th 2017, 5:44 PM

    There’s always one!

    153
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    Mute dangermouse
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    Jun 29th 2017, 5:41 PM

    Keep it classy

    72
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    Mute Gerry Ivie
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    Jun 29th 2017, 5:44 PM

    He’s lower than a snakes belly. Name and shame it!

    198
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    Mute Ciarán Masterson
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    Jun 29th 2017, 5:45 PM

    @Gerry Ivie:

    We’ll know his name once he appears before a magistrate for arraignment.

    99
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    Mute Good Early
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    Jun 30th 2017, 10:08 AM

    @Gerry Ivie: His name is Anh Nhu Nguyen.

    Not sure why The Journal didnt post it when other media outlets have. Is it because he does have an English sounding name?

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    Mute Good Early
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    Jun 30th 2017, 10:08 AM

    @Good Early: *doesn’t have

    1
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    Mute mark kenny
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    Jun 29th 2017, 7:59 PM

    There is nothing that some people wouldn’t do for money.I’m long gone beyond being shocked or disappointed by humans failings.

    53
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    Mute mark kelly
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    Jun 29th 2017, 6:28 PM

    what a feckin jezebel.

    32
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    Mute Tommy Browne
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    Jun 29th 2017, 7:12 PM

    Must have a screw loose to even consider such a course of action.

    35
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    Mute Grumpeee Oldman
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    Jun 29th 2017, 6:45 PM

    Clearly not the full shilling.
    How did he ever think it would not be picked up.
    So many levels of failure

    30
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    Mute Joe Hill
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    Jun 29th 2017, 8:59 PM

    I would imagine he will spend longer in jail than anyone found responsible for the deaths of so many innocents, that is if any of them spend even one day behind bars!

    22
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    Mute Mark Kavanagh
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    Jun 29th 2017, 11:27 PM

    It worked… Free bed and board coming his way soon

    15
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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Jun 29th 2017, 7:38 PM

    How did he even think he’d get away with it .. not an ounce of cop on !

    17
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    Mute Zx5vZulB
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    Jun 29th 2017, 10:47 PM

    Cue the bile spewers ready to condemn a low life instead of those responsible for public building safety, nice stage management by the uk authorities.

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    Mute Revolting Peasant
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    Jun 29th 2017, 11:28 PM

    @Zx5vZulB: It isn’t an either/or situation, it is possible to be disgusted by many things at the same time. I will also be disgusted if those who sublet their council flat get another one.

    25
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    Mute Robot
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    Jun 29th 2017, 5:39 PM

    Nice cosy place in hell waiting for that clown

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Jun 30th 2017, 7:28 AM

    @Robot: You believe in hell? How so very medieval

    6
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    Mute Claire Masterson
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    Jun 30th 2017, 10:48 AM

    there was a woman in america who told everybody that she lost her boyfriend, he was a fireman in one of the twin towers, she set up a charity for families who had lost family members in the twin towers then it tuns out that not only was she lying but she was no where near the twin towers on 9/11

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    Mute Claire Masterson
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    Jun 30th 2017, 10:49 AM

    and she took all the money from the charity

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    Mute oliverjumelle
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    Jun 30th 2017, 10:47 AM

    Fiona mccormack! I know her family! They are from ennis.

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    Mute Joseph Dempsey
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    Jun 29th 2017, 6:58 PM

    WTF, gets housing and money? The fuc@$ER should be flogged publicly and slowly.

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    Mute Quentin Moriarty
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    Jul 2nd 2017, 12:35 AM

    Probably banked on evidence needed to disputed his take that would not be available from the incinerator that was that building

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    Mute Colin McCarthy
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    Jun 29th 2017, 7:18 PM

    God loves a chancer.

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