Expats asked to report neighbours involved in fraud
April 29th, 2009 - Chris MarshallBritons living in Spain are being asked to report on cheating neighbours in a bid to cut down on benefit fraud by people living abroad
British authorities have launched a campaign in the popular tourist destinations of the Costa del Sol and the Canary islands urging residents to call a dedicated hotline to report suspected benefit thieves.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) claims that so-called “abroad fraud” costs the UK taxpayer £63m a year. Officials do not know how many people are making illegal claims or where they all live, but they believe the majority are in Spain, where an estimated one million Britons have homes.
Tony McNulty, the minister for employment and welfare reform, said:”We are absolutely determined to stop benefit thieves stealing from the British taxpayer. Our commitment extends beyond the borders of the UK. Even in sunny Spain, we’re closing in on benefit fraud.”
The initiative follows the success of a pilot scheme launched in Alicante on the Costa Blanca last September and is aimed at those scamming benefits by failing to declare that they have moved abroad or by taking work while claiming sickness benefits.
Last month a British couple were jailed for claiming benefits while they sailed around the world in a luxury yacht. (Via Expat Life Spain)
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April 29th, 2009 at 14:32
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