Caught for Fraud and arrested yesterday

[debbieb1980]

No excuses as I was caught red handed doing something I really should not have been doing.

I have been wrongly claiming whilst working due to a lot of money issues and now need to face the consequences of my actions.

My recent past caught up with me late yesterday evening when I was arrested at my workplace just before finishing my shift, I then had to go to the police station and have been in there til an hour or so ago.

Scared I will now end up in prison though if I do I know it is self inflicted, looking for any advice.

Blanche Yes the police do make arrangements to interview people but just as often the will turn up. Just depends what suits the cops!

Shelly why do you really want her to be punished?

Is that a trick question or just a fucking stupid one?

Op will you be able to pay any of it back?
It's not really an option to not repay it. The court will ask for weekly installments after assessing how much Op can realistically afford from her income. It won't be set higher than she can afford.

That would be a court order though so defaulting on the repayments could result in a custodial sentence.

Please keep in mind about the short sentences in Scotland OP, cases that would end up with a jail sentence in England wont' do so here.

I guess if OP had stolen £12,000 from a neighbour and then lied to said neighbour when asked, people would be less tolerant.

Was it the DWP who interviewed you before?

Thanks for the helpful responses.

I will be going to speak to a solicitor at 2:30 this afternoon so should have a better idea then of what I am potentially facing.

I don’t think it’s a fucking stupid one, it’s just she hasn’t stolen from you. Why do you want someone who is clearly short of money and desperate to suffer more?

And yes it was the DWP before

If you are short of money, stealing is not the answer. She will have to pay it back now anyway and may well lose her job. What a mess.

Of course you did wrong but it's not an act of evil and nor did it occur in a vacuum. I'm not a lawyer so I can't really give any useful advice, but humans make mistakes and you're committed to setting this one straight.

Whilst you have my sympathy for the awful situation, it is of your making and you have rightly (finally) admitted your guilt and will accept the consequences.

For those who are excusing OP's behaviour as a drop in the ocean, how about this - that money which OP has stolen from the treasury could have paid for free school meals for a whole primary school class for a whole school year. Thirty children being fed, or OP having some extra money in her purse.

Let's not forget here that OP was entitled to the benefits originally but then began earning too much to continue with that entitlement, meaning that he/she would have been earning, what, at least £25k? Benefits are designed to be a safety net for those in genuine need, not those who cannot manage a perfectly decent salary and decide instead to take money that is not theirs.

I do think that punishments should be punitive, otherwise more and more claimants might think that the benefits of benefit fraud far outweigh the drawbacks and if everybody can get away with just a little bit then this will become a far greater problem. Don't forget also that the real cost of benefit fraud is much more than the actual amount fraudulently claimed; for every £xx fraudulently claimed there is the impact of that money not being available for those who need it, there is also the hidden cost of investigating, prosecuting and recouping the loss - this does need to be done because if people can just get away with it then there is absolutely no disincentive (other than people having a good moral compass) to commit fraud in this way.

OP I do hope you are able to move on with your life after this is sorted out; we all make mistakes and once it is dealt with everybody should have the chance to change and move on.

OP, was your employer in on this?

I'm just wondering because for them to have photographed you entering and leaving your workplace, you must have denied working there during your original interview?

So they would have checked with your employer, surely?

I think often the biggest 'punishment' is that everyone will know about it. It's the type of thing that doesn't just effect the OP but her family and friends too. I could imagine her child might not be too pleased if the kids at school hear about it. Benefit fraud committed so purposefully over such a long time is something that i imagine most people would strongly disapprove of.

I'm astonished they were tracing you for 3 months.

I'm not going to stick the boot in, as I think the way the system is set up means that work isn't even a route out of poverty for many.

First off deep breath and don't panic. It's never as bad as you think.

Secondly, do not speak to anyone else without a lawyer present or speak to the citizens advice bureau.

It is highly unlikely you will go to prison, every circumstance is different. I would imagine your benefits will be recalculated and you'll be asked to pay back what has been incorrectly claimed. Your arrest will be on record I imagine.

A lot of people seem to be missing that OP's time to come clean was in the DWP interview. She didn't and then continued to commit fraud.

The police haven't just bowled up for a laugh, an allegation has been made and file of evidence will have been passed to them for investigation in exactly the same way as it would if a member of the public would make an allegation. The police will then investigate to ascertain if the allegations can be proved.

As far as penalties are concerned, it's always seemed wrong to me that financial crime attracts a harsher penalty than crime againt the person. Mortgage fraud - 7 years, kill someone whilst driving over the limit, no licence - 3 months, out in 8 weeks.

Yes I do believe a senior member of management was recently made aware of the situation, I have previously denied being employed as already stated.

I am worried for myself, though also like a previous poster said about the impact on family, friends etc.

I made a mistake and paying the price now, last night was horrible being in a cold freezing police cell and everything that goes with it, I am truly mortified really dont want to end up in prison.

I don't think OP made a mistake.

I think they made a very deliberate decision and when questioned about it, chose to lie and continue to steal in the hope that they would get away with it.

Taking it from the government is not only stealing from tax payers but also costing an extra amount for the investigation and prosecution.

None of that was accidental.

Work isn't even a route out of poverty for many people

I agree so let's not stick the boot in. OP has probably been really uncomfortable about falsely claiming but saw no other way out of her financial situation. Let's not assume she was earning a "perfectly decent wage" and having a jolly time on the benefit she received.

It's more likely that she got into debts and bill arrears before finding work as it is almost impossible to live on benefits alone and was trying to survive as best she could.

It's not right but it is understandable how a person might feel desperate enough to do this and OP is facing the consequences.

Thankfully courts are more understanding of difficult circumstances than some on here and take those into account.

Yes I do believe a senior member of management was recently made aware of the situation, I have previously denied being employed as already stated.

So why didn't they just rock up to your work place and ask your employers if you worked for them or not?

I don't understand why they spent 3 months instead, taking photos of you entering and leaving your workplace?

Well I cant say all the inns and outs of the situation, besides when I say recently made aware this was only in the past week so seemingly they had been watching me for a while, just needed more proof. Really cant say for definete.

If you have any way to start repaying the money before the court hearing it would be worth doing, even if small amounts. It would show commitment to putting things right. I don't know the law in Scotland but the solicitor will advise you.