Benefit fraud (FOI)

Request

On 10 September 2018 the Jersey Evening Post reported, in relation to benefit fraud, "A total of 1,548 cases were investigated for suspected fraud worth a combined £1,464,374 across 2015, 2016 and 2017."

Could you please tell me how many of these 1,548 cases of 'suspected' fraud were confirmed (whether resulting in prosecution or not) and the total value of those cases?

Response

In 2015, 2016 and 2017, a total of 319 cases were investigated for fraud with confirmed overpayments of benefit totalling £1,464,374, with nine prosecutions for fraud completed (48 cases are still under investigation).

The number of fraud cases, which necessitate a criminal prosecution, is relatively low. Often leads are identified as genuine mistakes from claimants rather than fraud and these can be quickly rectified and repayment arranged.

The Social Security Department will, in every case, pursue all monies falsely claimed either fraudulently or otherwise.