A Blackpool couple who fraudulently claimed more than £50,000 in benefits by pretending to be separated single parents were exposed by their own social media holiday photographs showing them together.
Alan Forsythe, 37, and wife Jemma, 36, deceived the Department for Work & Pensions between 2019 and 2023 while living together as a family.
Their scheme unravelled when investigators discovered social media posts featuring the pair posing with peace signs against crystal clear seas and mountain backdrops, lounging on sunbeds in swimwear, and relaxing in a sauna.
The couple have now been sentenced at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to fraud.
'Single parents' Alan and Jemma Forsythe were exposed by their own social media holiday photographs showing them together
Between February 2019 and July 2023, Alan Forsythe claimed Universal Credit as a single person living alone, later claiming he was a single father with custody of one child.
He fraudulently obtained £3,182.
His wife Jemma, now using her maiden name O'Malley, submitted her own single parent claim in June 2020.
She declared she was living with her four children while concealing that her husband lived at the same address and worked full-time.
Her fraudulent claims totalled £49,007 over three years.
Both signed declarations confirming their information was accurate and pledging to report any changes in circumstances.
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The DWP stepped in after discovering the couple's social media posts
PAThe DWP launched an investigation after discovering the couple's social media posts presenting themselves as married.
Further enquiries into bank statements and credit references followed before they were invited for interviews in June 2023.
On June 14, Mr Forsythe attended St Annes Job Centre claiming he was "sofa surfing" after splitting from Jemma.
But 12 days later, Mrs Forsythe visited the same job centre, telling investigators they had separated but not divorced.
The court heard Mrs Forsythe had a previous conviction from 2014 for failing to notify the DWP of a change in circumstances.
Both eventually pleaded guilty to fraud charges.
The fraudster couple were brought to justice at Preston Crown Court
PASentencing the couple, Recorder Ayesha Siddiqi said: "You were taking from the public purse.
"Just because money is public money does not make this any less serious."
Mr Forsythe, appearing via prison video link while serving a four-year sentence for a separate violent offence, received 15 weeks to run consecutively to his current term.
The judge told Mrs Forsythe: "If it wasn't for those children I would be sending you to prison right now."
She received 21 months, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements and a six-month curfew from 9pm to 7am, with the judge citing the children's welfare as the deciding factor.