WIFE faked husband's death to claim £400k life insurance

'FAKE DEATH' Bekezela Bhebhe (left) and wife Thulile Bhebhe (Pics: Facebook)

AN NHS nurse lied that her husband had died in an audacious scam to try to claim nearly £400,000 on his life insurance.

Thulile Bhebhe, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation by claiming that husband Bekezela Bhebhe had died to gain £397,000 at Westminster Magistrates Court.

Bhebhe tried to claim the money between August 1 2016 and September 30 2016, but claim handlers became suspicious and referred the case to the City of London Police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department.

TRIAL: Mr Bhebhe has denied being involved in his wife's plot

Mr Bhebhe, 52, a Zimbabwean national denied the same charge at the same court.

His case was transfereed to Inner London Crown Court with a hearing next month.

The couple live in Hayes, Middlesex, and Mr Bhebhe, also a nurse, has worked as a ward manager at Imperial College NHS Trust in Paddington, according to his Linkedin profile.

Mrs Bhebhe will be sentenced after his trial.

The pair could face up to five years in prison each if both are found guilty.

They were released on unconditional bail.

A spokeswoman for Imperial College London NHS Trust said: " Bekezela Bhebhe is employed by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

"We are not able to comment on individual employees."