Rape suspect ‘allowed to flee UK while owing taxpayers £200,000’ – as he could still be claiming benefits

NewsUK News A RAPE suspect who owes £200,000 in taxpayer money was allegedly allowed to flee the UK after police failed to stop him leaving. Ndumbe Achile Ndumbe claimed hundreds of thousands of pounds in housing benefits despite being a landlord for six houses in Manchester. Ndumbe left the country while on bail Credit: Unknown The Department for Work & Pensions fined the man £26,000 for failing to register his HMO properties Credit: In Pictures via Getty Images The 41-year-old fraudulently claimed £180,000 and was fined another £26,000 in 2025 by the courts after failing to obtain a HMO license. It is believed Ndumbe flew to Cameroon in January once being released under investigation after being arrested on suspicion of rape in 2024. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! It was also revealed that while out of the country he was allegedly claiming £200 a month in Pip payments. He pinned this down to mental health struggles and back pain. An inquiry source told The Times: “This case represents and highlights multiple failures in the system, across the police, the border and Department for Work and Pensions. How was he allowed to leave the country in the first place while being investigated for rape? “There was evidence he had made previous trips between the UK and Cameroon. He should never have been allowed to keep his passport and leave the country while on bail over a rape complaint.” When the benefit fraud was initially arrested in July of 2024 on suspicion of rape, his electronic devices were seized. His phone, laptop and a camcorder were all confiscated by officials, and possible evidence of further sexual offences was alleged to have been found. Most read in The Sun Police expanded their investigation in response to the findings, despite Ndumbe being on police bail for the past two years. The man was also managing six HMOs in Greater Manchester and the freehold owner of two of those properties despite the housing benefit claims. It was revealed rent of between £500 and £800 was paid into his account each month. Ndumbe failed to register the two properties correctly, landing him the £26,486 fine. Greater Manchester police said in a statement: “Detectives investigating reports of rape have arrested a suspect who remains under investigation and inquiries are actively continuing. “Specialist agencies continue to provide the victims with support.” The Department for Work and Pensions and the Home Office have been contacted for comment.