Is this Fraud?

[SugarMouse1]

I wondered if anyone could tell me if people can legally do this or not.

A friend from work has 2-bed council flat in london, near a tube station. His rent is 500 per month- but he doesn't live there.

He rents it out for about 1000 a month to some south africans.

He lives with his ex-wife sleeping on her sofa, who lives alone in a 3-bed council house, paying the rent with Housing Benefit.

singledadof2- Yes they are legally here, although on a fixed term visa, cannot remain indefinitely

Sockreturningpixie- Well, they are not on very good terms even though they live in the same house.

I also find it ironic that all this fraud is going on, while the two adult daughters are police officers, know all this and nobody bats an eyelid!