by Keith Hunt

Three fraudsters from Dartford have been jailed for their part in a plot to steal millions of pounds from the Inland Revenue.

Olamide Coker, 33, and Olaniyi Akinyemi, 32, were each sentenced to three years and pregnant Rufina Ulom, 30, to two-and-half years after admitting conspiracy to defraud.

Prosecutor Philip Henry told Maidstone Crown Court that the three Nigerians, all of Chapman Court, were arrested after Inland Revenue employees were charged. Those employees were later jailed for between two years and three years.

The staff members - Adebambo Odunuga, Tsebenang Tsimba and Shelton Omene - provided confidential information on taxpayers that enabled Coker, Akinyemi and Ulom and others to set up false repayments to their accounts.

Judge Martin Joy said it was "an extremely sophisticated and well thought out plan" to commit the fraud. "It was undoubtedly a prolonged and dishonest course of conduct," he added.

The judge recommended that Coker, Akinyemi and Ulom be deported after serving their sentences.