A former millionaire businessman who was jailed for benefit fraud has been ordered to pay out tens of thousands of pounds in compensation for his crimes

Mohsen Sabet, 51, of Laurel Way, Whetstone, was jailed for nine months in March 2015 after pleading guilty to illegally claiming more than £35,000 in benefits despite owning a £2million property empire

He has now been ordered by the courts to pay out £90,000 in confiscation and compensation payments.

The ruling was made on 22 December at Wood Green Crown Court after a case was brought by Barnet Council’s corporate anti-fraud team (CAFT). Sabet was ordered to pay £72,000 as compensation, plus £18,000 in benefits he was yet to pay back.

Officers discovered that Sabet had illegally claimed cash from Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Councils, and the Department of Work and Pensions, between 2004 and 2011.

He did this while failing to declare that he owned, and was running, two luggage shops.

The benefits cheat also owned four properties and had 17 different bank accounts at one time containing a total of £800,000.

He also admitted to having assets in Iran worth more than £1million.

Sabet even changed his name to try and avoid detection, from Mohsen Aboudarda by deed poll in 2004, having already scammed Barnet out of £6,500.

Councillor Richard Cornelius, leader of Barnet Council, said: “This sends out the very clear message that even after being dealt with by the courts, investigators are able to carry out a proceeds of crime investigation.

“I hope this case also reminds anyone contemplating cheating the system that they will be caught and ultimately will be brought before the courts.”

Sabet’s case was featured on the BBC television programme “Saints and Scroungers” in 2014.