DWP photoshop fails as benefit fraudsters try to prove they live in the UK
The photoshop fails as benefit fraudsters trying to prove they live in the UK
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Your support makes all the difference.The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released photoshop fails sent in by benefit fraudsters - trying to prove they live in the UK.
The doctored images include photos of men and women pasted into various scenes and outside homes ahead of a crackdown in fraud.
They were sent to benefit officials by scammers who were asked to provide evidence they live in Britain.
One shows a woman holding a toddler, another a couple outside a home - but are all clearly fake photoshopped images.
They have been shared by the DWP’s counter fraud office - which says fake claims add up to billions each year.
Officials say “there is no suggestion that the people in these images have committed fraud or they are in any way affiliated with the location they are pictured at.”
It is thought the fraudsters just use photos they find online and paste them.
And staff at the Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt Directorate believe it is gangs behind many of the claims.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “When the pandemic hit, we saw a surge in Universal Credit claims, which demanded an extraordinary response to help all those in urgent need.
“Regrettably, unscrupulous fraudsters took advantage but we are rooting them out and have already reviewed 900,000 claims.
“We made savings from correction and prevention of fraud and error of £2billion last year alone.
“But we’re going much further, through our robust fraud plan to prevent £2billion of loss over the next three years, and over £4billlion over the next five years.”
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