Assets of benefit fraudster confiscated

The Social Security Agency has today won its first case under the Proceeds of Crime Act to confiscate assets gained through benefit fraud.

The decision, which was reached earlier at Craigavon Crown Court, granted the Agency a Confiscation Order against a Dunmurry woman to the value of £22,261.

It is understood that the woman was convicted at Lisburn Magistrate’s Court on January 26 for falsely claiming benefits as a single parent while living with her husband who was in full-time employment.

A spokesperson for the Agency said: “This is the first case which the Agency has taken to a confiscation hearing and we are delighted with the result. It sends out the important message that crime does not pay. Benefit fraud costs £28m per year in Northern Ireland.

“Through the application of the Proceeds of Crime Act, people who commit benefit fraud can be stripped of the assets which they have illegally gained. Our Fraud Investigation Unit has further similar cases in the pipeline. We will also continue to work in partnership with the Assets Recovery Agency. “

The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, which is responsible for creating the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA), which provided new powers for recovering the proceeds of unlawful activity.

These powers also extend to civilian financial investigators of law enforcement authorities, which have been accredited by the ARA.

(EF/GB)