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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Kelly-Ann Mills

Hilarious photoshop fails of benefit fraudsters trying to 'prove' they live in the UK

Hapless photoshop fails have been spotted by the the Department for Work and Pensions by scammers pretending they live in the UK.

The doctored images include photos of men and women pasted into various scenes and outside homes, by benefit fraudsters.

They were sent to officials by scammers who were asked to provide evidence they live in Britain.

One shows a woman holding a toddler, another a couple outside a home - but are all clearly fake photoshopped images.

They have been shared by the DWP's counter fraud office, which says fake claims add up to billions each year.

Officials say ''there is no suggestion that the people in these images have committed fraud or they are in any way affiliated with the location they are pictured at''

It is thought the fraudsters just use photos they find online and paste them.

One picture had a man and a child (DWP / SWNS)
The man may have no idea his photo is being used by scammers (DWP / SWNS)

A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said: “When the pandemic hit, we saw a surge in Universal Credit claims, which demanded an extraordinary response to help all those in urgent need.

''Regrettably, unscrupulous fraudsters took advantage but we are rooting them out and have already reviewed 900,000 claims.

The photos were sent to the DWP (DWP / SWNS)
The people in the photo may not know their picture is being used (DWP / SWNS)

“We made savings from correction and prevention of fraud and error of £2billion last year alone.

''But we’re going much further, through our robust fraud plan to prevent £2billion of loss over the next three years, and over £4billlion over the next five years.”

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