7 Most Obscure Excuses Given By Benefit Fraudsters

The government has released some of the most stupid excuses for committing benefit fraud. Here are the ridiculous lengths some people have gone to to avoid being brought to justice.

1. I have a very clever dog

Flickr: imagesbywestfall

A judge suggested one fraudster had a “very clever dog” after the defendant told the jury he wasn’t aware that the cheques he was cashing each month from the council was actually housing benefit - because all his other mail was “eaten by his poodle”

2. I was being chased by my landlady

Via Flickr: waltstoneburner

One man confessed to the investigator he had not declared he was working while claiming housing benefit because he owed money to his landlady who was chasing him for “payment in kind” whilst in high heels and brandishing a sex toy

3. I had an out of body experience

Flickr: wcmcwi

One man told a jury he had wrongly clicked the “no, I’m not working” box on the benefit form because he had a temporary “out-of-body experience” which led him to click wrong buttons

4. I was an MI5 undercover agent

Flickr: 34053291@N05

A doctor, who had written several books on UFO sightings, said he only stole £100,000 in benefits because he was an MI5 undercover agent. His Spanish villa, where he had been claiming out-of-work benefits for scores of fictitious people, was actually a “base for fellow agents”

5. My husband lived in a tent in the garden

Flickr: ualucky

When trying to claim housing benefit as a single parent, one woman said her husband didn’t live with her but in a tent in the back yard. When a Google Maps search revealed the house had no garden, she withdrew her claim

6. I gave my money to my drug dealer

Flickr: hvassaleiti

One mother defended her daughter’s failure to declare £30,000 which she had won on the game show ‘Deal or No Deal’ whilst on Income Support, by saying it didn’t matter because she had given it all away to a drug dealer

7. Working the night shift doesn't count

Flickr: eprater

A security guard defended himself for claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance whilst working at a night-club - telling fraud investigators he “thought he was allowed to work nights and still claim”

Anyone found guilty of fraud will have to pay the stolen money back, and under tougher new rules they will have to do so more quickly. That's on top of any prison sentence or fine handed out by the courts.

People with information of possible benefit fraud can call the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440 or report a fraud online at https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/benefitfraud/