A PROBE is ongoing in Bolton amid suspicions some firms have been using dodgy bank account details to secure post-pandemic business restart grants.

An audit committee report has revealed there is currently a joint inquiry between Bolton Council auditors, revenues and benefits officials and the National Anti-Fraud Network to determine if there has been any wrongdoing.

Auditors say that the majority of their counter-fraud activity in 2020-21 revolved around pre-payment checks and investigations in relation to business grant schemes.

In a report Tom Powell, the councl's head of internal audit and risk management, said: "Currently, we are liaising with revenues and benefits and with NAFN (National Anti-Fraud Network) on Restart Grant cases, where a number of applications have been received with false bank account details, and we have advised on increase checks on bank accounts to prevent payments in similar cases.

Earlier this year the Bolton News reported that, via central government funds, Bolton Council had distributed £59m in business support grants and £24m in local restrictions support grants during the pandemic.

But because of issues with council tax collection, there was still a gap of £2.5m between those expected and actual revenue totals.

The business grants regime had still led to nearly 30 instances of fraud, councillors have been told.

Mr Powell added: "The primary focus of counter fraud activity during 2020/21 has been the ongoing completion of pre-payment checks and investigations in relation to the business grant schemes.

"This was due to the value and volume of grants being awarded and the need to comply with Government assurance and reporting requirements.

"We investigated cases where there were indications that fraudulent claims may have been made, liaising with the National AntiFraud Network (NAFN).

"We identified 29 fraudulent cases and have prevented or recovered in excess of £130k of payments."