The Isle of Anglesey Council received 61 fraud allegations during the 2025-26 year, according to an annual counter fraud, bribery and corruption report considered by councillors this week. The bulk of referrals related to revenue matters such as undeclared second homes and council tax evasion, while social housing applications and tenancies also featured prominently.
Breakdown of reported cases
The report, prepared by the council’s Head of Audit & Risk, details the nature and progress of complaints received through the authority’s fraud reporting tool, introduced in November 2024. Revenue-related matters accounted for the majority of referrals.
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Revenue-related allegations | 44 |
| Social housing tenancy allegations | 9 |
| All referrals (2025-26) | 61 |
| Referrals in previous reporting period | 19 |
Of the 61 allegations, five have so far resulted in a finding of fraud or error, with a further 13 cases still under review at the time the report was compiled. Across all categories, 25 complaints were closed as unfounded and 10 were closed because there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
Social housing cases and community impact
Social housing tenancy fraud was the council’s second most reported category, with nine allegations. One such investigation identified fraud or error with an estimated value of £42,000. The report noted the wider consequences of tenancy fraud for the local community, emphasising pressure on scarce housing resources.
"The estimated value demonstrates the potential financial and social impact of tenancy fraud, including the loss of scarce housing resources for those in genuine need," the report stated.
A case study included in the document described a joint investigation by the Counter Fraud Officer and the Community Housing Service. An anonymous tip alleged that an applicant for social housing had failed to disclose key household information. The inquiry concluded that the application was fraudulent and prevented the allocation of housing based on misrepresentation.
- Number of allegations remaining under review: 20
- Categories still being examined: revenue (13), social housing tenancy (3), plus individual cases across benefits, blue badges and trading standards
- Action since the fraud tool launch: referrals rose compared with the initial five-month period after November 2024
What the figures show for the island
The increase in referrals follows the council’s introduction of a dedicated reporting channel, which appears to have encouraged more members of the public to flag suspected wrongdoing. While most complaints have not resulted in confirmed fraud, the cases that have been upheld point to both financial loss and the potential social cost where housing is involved.
Councillors reviewed the report at the Governance and Audit committee meeting on Thursday, where officers set out the current caseload and next steps for the matters still under investigation. The document provides a snapshot of enforcement activity and the council’s ongoing effort to protect public resources and ensure fair access to housing.
Residents concerned about suspected fraud can expect the council to continue using the reporting tool to gather information and prioritise investigations based on the likely financial or social harm.
