A benefits fraudster who raked in more than £50,000 in public money has been exposed after an investigation by her local council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Pauline Ellam, formerly of Pollington, Goole, East Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to fraudulently claiming council tax support, housing benefit and employment support.
Her scam, which stretched from January 2020 to January 2023, saw her pocket £51,224.60 in taxpayer cash.
Ellam's crimes were exposed following a joint-investigation by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the DWP.
The Yorkshire resident had not told authorities she was living with her partner and maintaining a common household with him.
This impacted her entitlement to benefits - with Ellam being handed an overpayment in council tax support, housing benefit and employment support allowance.
She appeared at Leeds Crown Court, where a judge sentenced her to 29 months behind bars - suspended for two years.
Ellam was also ordered to undertake 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.
Ellam appeared at Leeds Crown Court, where the judge sentenced her to 29 months behind bars
| PAShe will also be forced to pay back every penny of her ill-gotten gains.
Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings have been launched to ensure she will not hold on to any more money from the public purse.
Councillor Nigel Wilkinson, East Riding of Yorkshire Council cabinet member for finance and governance said: “The council has a zero-tolerance approach to fraud of all types and will take action against anyone found cheating the system.
"If you suspect that someone may be claiming benefits that they are not entitled to, call the fraud hotline or speak to one of our officers.”
FRAUDSTERS HANDED JUSTICE - READ THE LATEST:
Benefit fraud - from your wallet: Total amount lost to benefit fraud per year | GB NEWSThe council insisted that anyone who wished to report benefits fraud can do so anonymously via the authority's website.
It comes after a woman swindled more than £25,000 in disability benefits after she was found to be an active gym-goer and competitive runner despite claiming to be housebound.
Helen Green, 49, fraudulently obtained Personal Independence Payment (PIP) by claiming she suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis, along with a slipped disc that left her unable to leave her home.
The fraud came to light following a tip-off to the DWP's fraud hotline, with an investigation revealing an egregious breach of her claim.
Ellam's crimes were exposed following a joint-investigation by the DWP and her local authority
| PASecurity cameras at her local gym captured Green engaged in high-energy fitness classes, including Zumba, Body Combat, Body Pump, Core Blast and Spin sessions.
The 49-year-old received a seven-month prison sentence at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
In 2024/25, benefits fraud and claimant errors cost the British taxpayer £9.5billion - just over three per cent of the Government's total benefits spending.
However, the net loss is lower due to recovery efforts from the DWP, which brings in just over £1billion every year.