Older people worst culprits when it comes to benefit fraud

Updated
Businessman Putting Envelope Filled With Sterling In Jacket Pocket
Businessman Putting Envelope Filled With Sterling In Jacket Pocket

London's over-40s are the people most likely to get into trouble over benefit fraud, with women more likely to be charged than men.

The last year's records of fraud defence lawyers DPP Law show that more than two thirds of cases involved people over 40. The most honest age group was 18 to 24, with just one case that went to court.

See also: 'Single mum' benefits cheat caught after mentioning marriage online


See also: Benefits cheat caught working as a binman



The data also showed a fair split between the sexes, with women slightly ahead at 52.

The biggest hot spot for benefit fraud was Greater London, with the area accounting for around 43% of the total. Merseyside was in second place with 35%.

However, in a third of cases that went to court, the person charged got off.

"Our solicitors have worked on a lot of benefit fraud cases over the years and these results highlight the broad spectrum of these types of proceedings," says Stuart Nolan, managing director of DPP Law.

"Many benefit fraud cases are often the case of overpayment, which can happen without an individual's intent to defraud. We've also seen a lot of the clients we have defended found not guilty. So, in the arena of benefit fraud, there are a lot of shades of grey."

It's the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that's in charge of benefit fraud investigations, with many staff located in local Jobcentre offices. Local authorities also carry out housing benefit and Council Tax benefit fraud investigations.

Those found guilty of benefit fraud are usually ordered to pay back the cash - and may also be hit with an extra penalty of between £350 and £5,000, as well as having their benefits cut or stopped.

Many people are caught via tip-offs on the hotline - like businesswoman Nicola Alcock earlier this year. Claiming to be living alone, she netted more than £81,000 in child tax credits and housing benefit over a period of five years.

However, she'd been daft enough to post the fqact that she was married on her Barking Mad business website - and was shopped to the authorities.

And just last week, George Beacham was caught working as a binman after claiming he 'could only walk two yards in 15 minutes'.

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