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Old 04-24-2008, 02:37 AM
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Binky Bainbridge Binky Bainbridge is offline
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A significant number of people in Britain "milk" the system, either legitimately, (because the system is so gullible), or fraudently.
Most people here believe that state benefits should be a "leg up" not a "hand out" for those who find themselves in short-term difficulties - the trouble is some people make a career out of it!

Take just one recent example out of many, this one was based on fraud, but is shows you how easy it is to beat the system.

Couple made up 16 children in benefit fraud

The Guardian - Steven Morris, Friday April 11 2008

A man who claimed more than £75,000 in benefits by inventing 16 children who did not exist to fund his gambling addiction was jailed for 20 months yesterday.

David Wilshaw, 58, and partner Nancy Stevenson, 59, fabricated a huge family to milk the system for four years. The fraud began when Wilshaw applied for tax credits for two of Stevenson's children who did exist and nobody asked to see birth certificates or other proof. He went on to make up the names of 16 children and pocketed more than £400 a week for them between 2003 and 2007.

Bristol crown court heard Wilshaw spent up to £600 a week in betting shops and Stevenson drank at least two bottles of brandy a day.

Full story: Couple made up 16 children in benefit fraud | UK news | The Guardian
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