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Government to investigate UK expat benefit fraudsters in Spain
| Published: | 19 Jun at 6 PM |
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Official from the UK government have announced a crackdown on UK expats living in Spain involved in benefit fraud.
Investigators from the UK’s Work and Pensions Department are claiming that British expats living in Spain are the worst for benefit fraud of any country in which British expats are residing. The British Embassy in Madrid announced the crackdown last Monday.
Investigators will focus on the three commonest types of benefit fraud; working while claiming sickness benefit, people on means-tested benefits who do not declare they are not living in the UK and those who own undeclared property in Spain but are living in the UK. Already being investigated are claims for Income Support or Pension Credit.
The campaign was launched by the UK Minister for Welfare Reform. David Freud, who said that taxpayers’ money should not be allowed to line the pockets of fraudsters, but should be going to British residents who need it the most. He added that the majority of Britons living overseas are law-abiding, but the considerable number who are committing benefit fraud are guilty of a crime and must be stopped.
The minister added that those who wished to report benefit fraud should call on a confidential hotline. Investigators have confirmed that allegations of benefit fraud received in this manner are treated seriously and looked into.
Investigators from the UK’s Work and Pensions Department are claiming that British expats living in Spain are the worst for benefit fraud of any country in which British expats are residing. The British Embassy in Madrid announced the crackdown last Monday.
Investigators will focus on the three commonest types of benefit fraud; working while claiming sickness benefit, people on means-tested benefits who do not declare they are not living in the UK and those who own undeclared property in Spain but are living in the UK. Already being investigated are claims for Income Support or Pension Credit.
The campaign was launched by the UK Minister for Welfare Reform. David Freud, who said that taxpayers’ money should not be allowed to line the pockets of fraudsters, but should be going to British residents who need it the most. He added that the majority of Britons living overseas are law-abiding, but the considerable number who are committing benefit fraud are guilty of a crime and must be stopped.
The minister added that those who wished to report benefit fraud should call on a confidential hotline. Investigators have confirmed that allegations of benefit fraud received in this manner are treated seriously and looked into.
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