Two Chinese students, Li Liu, 26, and Wanqinq Yu, 25, have been jailed for exploiting a loophole in the UK’s train refund system, defrauding over £140,000 through false claims under the national Delay Repay scheme. The pair, who lived together in a student flat in Leeds, West Yorkshire, were sentenced at Leeds Crown Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud and possession of criminal property.
The court heard how Liu and Yu manipulated the system by first claiming refunds for train tickets, falsely stating they no longer intended to travel. They then applied for additional Delay Repay compensation for the same journeys if the trains were delayed, pocketing significant sums. British Transport Police investigations revealed that Liu illegally obtained £141,031, while Yu acquired £15,712 through the scheme.
Both students were arrested and held on remand. Liu was sentenced to 30 months in prison, and Yu received a 17-week sentence. The case highlights vulnerabilities in the Delay Repay system, prompting calls for tighter controls to prevent similar fraud.