Fraud - what action can or should I take?

[up4it]

Basically an aquaintence was looking for somewhere to stay and my property was empty so I said he could stay rent free for 3 months on the condition he did the property up, Jan to end of March. We had a very informal agreement drawn up and signed to this effect. Someone advised me to get a more formal agreement drawn up to protect myself and this was done and signed.

He applied to the council for them to pay his rent/council tax/ benefits etc. as he was not working, he had assured me he would be working and I know he was working for some of the time he was at the property. Anyway the council started paying him the benefits and I never saw a penny. It all ended quite unpleasantly, he owes me lots of money but I just put that down to a lesson learnt for the future

I wanted to ensure that I will not be liable for income tax on that money so I spoke to the council and they showed me the tenancy agreement that he submitted in order to get them to pay the benefits. The Tenancy agreement they have is NOT either of the 2 agreements that we had drawn up and signed. It is a completely different agreement and my signature has been forged and it has been witnessed by his girlfriend (now ex girlfriend)

So as far as I can see it they are guilty of Fraud, Forgery, obtaining money by deception and anything else you can think of, she of course is just an accomplice in all this

What action should I take? And how do I ensure that the authorities pursue this not only to do him and claim the money back but also against her for witnessing a forged signature?

[bednobs]

sorry dont know the exact answer, but how does he owe you money if you agreed he could live there for free? if anything he owes the council the money back, surely?

[trt]

Thats what I thought bednobs!

[up4it]

Yes he owes the council the money back but he also owes me money that I lent him in order to do improvements round the house as well as loans to him and the cost of all the utilities used. Also my bed has gone missing, I still see the ex-girlfriend and his aunty and they said they would get my bed back and asked for the fridge freezer back as it was hers. Now I have given that back they couldnt care less about my stuff

[merciasounds]

and further to bednobs question, how can he be claiming for not working when he was going to work on the house? Where did you get the 'more formal' agreement drawn up? If it was a solicitor, perhaps that's where you should start. If not go to the citizens advice, their address will be in the phone book.

[up4it]

merciasounds - I think the answer to that is why he decided to get his own (forged) agreement done so he could claim. The agreement we did both legitimately sign was drawn up by a friend in the know although he is not a solicitor or legally qualified in any way, he is more of a mortgage broker but has dealt with tenancies in the past

[buildersmate]

Based on what you have said, you are not liable for income tax - you have had no income.
You could try reporting this to the police because of the fraud allegations, but it will be their decision as to whether to proceed.
Getting your own money back is going to be difficult. Do you have proof you gave him money?