Council statement on benefit fraudster Gary Crombie
19/08/10
Aberdeen man Gary Crombie has been ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service and to repay benefits he claimed but was not entitled to.
Mr Crombie was caught as the result of a joint investigation by Aberdeen City Council's fraud investigation team and the Department of Work and Pension's investigation team.
Information had been received that Mr Crombie was in employment and had failed to declare his income while continuing to claim benefits. Everyone in receipt of state benefits must declare all of their income to ensure that the correct amount of benefit is paid to them.
Officer's from both agencies interviewed Mr Crombie in February this year and he admitted failing to report a change in his circumstances.
Aberdeen City Council fraud officer Brian Muldoon said: "Aberdeen City Council works closely with the Department for Work and Pensions and other agencies in detecting criminal activities and we will refer cases to the Procurator Fiscal where we believe there has been a deliberate attempt to steal money from the public purse.
"Anyone with information about other benefit frauds being committed can let us know about them by using the Report It link on the Aberdeen City Council website at www.aberdeencity.gov.uk".
Mr Crombie defrauded the city council by claiming £1,339 in housing benefit and £358 council tax benefit which he was not entitled to. He was also prosecuted for fraudulently claiming benefits from the Department of Work and Pensions.
He will have to repay all of this money.