Tom PowellA NEW campaign cracking down on ‘abroad fraud’ in Spain has been launched by the UK department for work and pensions.
More than €100 million was lost to benefit thieves cheating the system from abroad cases last year alone.
New and improved methods are in place to target Britons who have moved to Spain and cheat the benefits system using multiple identities and assets.
Briton Peter Fisher was given a suspended sentence of 15 months imprisonment this July after being found guilty of claiming benefits while living in Spain, despite working in both countries. He also owned undeclared property in Spain.
While another, 74-year-old Dennis Troubridge, was jailed for 16 months in September. He had been living in Murcia since 2009 but had claimed €170,000 in benefits from the UK during that time, with the assistance of his daughter Poppy Bowling.
She was sentenced to a Community Order for 12 months after providing her address in Dagenham as a benefit claim address for her father.
In both cases, the benefit thieves had been claiming Income Support, Pension Credit and Housing Benefits, all of which cannot be claimed when living abroad.
If you suspect anyone of cheating the benefits system in Spain, call the Spanish DWP hotline on 0034 900 554 440.
For further information on benefits you can receive while living abroad please visit https://www.gov.uk/living-in-spain#state-pensions
Not Suprised. There are a few who I suspect are doing it, it’s too easy.
Their are thousands of British and Irish citizens living in
poverty all over Spain who are unable to access benefits
because of the way the Spanish welfare system has set itself
up to discriminate against non Spanish nationals.
All we keep hearing is about clampdowns on a few UK benefit cheats who are claiming peanuts which is boring old news,
The Olive press need to highlight the problems facing ex pats who are on the breadline and need HELP!
Here’s your chance to serve your country Brian. Those “few who you suspect are doing it”. Blow them in! you have valuable information.
Let me make it clear I in no way condone the actions of UK benefit cheats who live abroad, likewise I do not condone politicians living at home cheating the UK tax payer out of billions.
Meanwhile, £12bn foreign aid, £5billion sent abroad in tax credits / family allowance for EU nationals whose families do not live in the UK, another £1.7bn top up for the old boys club EU, houses for all who can make it to the UK, they are queuing up to get here, but don’t worry we will make up the difference by taking it off the OAP’s and UK needy, disabled, increase taxes for all by the back door, Council tax, family allowance freeze or take it away altogether, etc.. Borrowing is still more than we earn, deficit reduction, haha…
Is the UK including Health Tourists in this clamp down…? If NOT WHY NOT???
Well said Anthony. Those who claimed to be concerned about scroungers, are often from a wealthy background, never having had to work hard in their lives, and are to be pitied.
Do scroungers work hard?