SIX people were arrested in simultaneous raids in Oxford yesterday as part of an investigation into £500,000 worth of benefit frauds.
Police, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Immigration Service and HM Revenue and Customs were all involved in the raids on four homes in Northfield Close, Agnes Court, Watlington Road and Cowley Road yesterday morning.
Two men and a woman were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and three other men were arrested on suspicion of immigration and fraud offences, said police spokesman Kate Smith.
The suspects were still being held in custody last night.
There were other raids in Plymouth, Birmingham and London under the codename Operation Wasm. Miss Smith said the investigation was centred on allegations of fraudulent benefit claims and cashing of giros.
"In total, it is about £500,000 across the country," she said.
Officers searched all four properties and Miss Smith said: "This is part of a long-running investigation by the Department for Work and Pensions. We assisted them in their preparations, warrants, house searches and making the arrests."
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