Benefits cheats who live abroad while fraudulently claiming benefits at the taxpayers’ expense will be targeted in a government campaign in the New Year.
Up to £66 million is thought to be lost each year to "abroad fraud". The Department for Work and Pensions will work with officials in the countries where most of the fraud is carried out to identify and prevent abuse. In Spain and Portugal special hotlines have already been set up to help expats report scams.
Fraudulent claims include claiming unemployment benefit while working overseas, claiming benefits without declaring financial assets, or even cases where relatives continue to collect benefits when the original claimant has died overseas.
Lord Freud, Minister for Welfare Reform, said:
"Abroad fraud cost the taxpayer around £66 million last year.
"This money should be going to the people who need it most and not lining the pockets of criminals sunning themselves overseas.
"We are determined to stop benefit thieves stealing from the British taxpayer and recently launched our hotline in Portugal to make it even easier to report benefit crime."