Fraudster have been convicted of falsely claiming £775,000 by posing as people affected by the Grenfell Tower disaster, new figures show.

The sum was shared between 16 convicted offenders who made claims to the victims’ fund in the wake of the June 2017 tragedy that killed 72 people.

It was revealed by council chiefs at a meeting that just £24,000 had been recovered by police to date.

It means more than £750,000 is outstanding. A further £97,000 has been paid by the scammers in compensation orders, the council said.

The latest figure was revealed at the Kensington and Chelsea council meeting last week when deputy council leader Kim Taylor-Smith was grilled by Notting Hill Dale Labour member Judith Blakeman.

Ms Blakeman said some bereaved families had given warnings when they became aware fraudsters were trying to cash in on their suffering or lost loved ones.

She said: “In at least two cases bereaved family members advised the council that people were claiming money fraudulently.”

Inside Grenfell Tower 13 show all Inside Grenfell Tower 1/13 2/13 3/13 4/13 5/13 6/13 Water is sprayed on Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building PA 7/13 Fire service personnel inside Grenfell Tower in west London PA 8/13 A view inside the Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building PA 9/13 Sniffer dogs were sent inside to the tower today PA 10/13 Fire service personnel inside Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building PA 11/13 Part of the scorched facade of the Grenfell Tower in London as firefighting continue to damp-down the deadly fire AP 12/13 Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building PA 13/13 A view inside the Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building PA 1/13 2/13 3/13 4/13 5/13 6/13 Water is sprayed on Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building PA 7/13 Fire service personnel inside Grenfell Tower in west London PA 8/13 A view inside the Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building PA 9/13 Sniffer dogs were sent inside to the tower today PA 10/13 Fire service personnel inside Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building PA 11/13 Part of the scorched facade of the Grenfell Tower in London as firefighting continue to damp-down the deadly fire AP 12/13 Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building PA 13/13 A view inside the Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building PA

Mr Taylor-Smith confirmed there had been 16 prosecutions with jail terms between one and six years handed out. He said people benefitting from Grenfell by fraud was “distressing” to survivors, the council and community.

The cash returned to the council from the bogus claims had been funnelled back into the Grenfell fund, he said.

Among those convicted was Daniel Steventon, 37, from Kilburn.

He was jailed for three years and six months at Isleworth crown court last month after securing £75,225 in housing, services and financial support. He claimed to live with a legitimate survivor.

Kensington & Chelsea finance manager Jenny McDonagh, 39, who joined the authority after the fire to help survivors, was jailed after stealing nearly £62,000 intended for victims.

Police continue to investigate allegations of fraud connected with the Grenfell disaster. It is feared significant amounts more could have been taken.