Benefit cheats face "Robocop" fraud crackdown

Benefit cheats are being targeted by a new government campaign warning of a "Robocop"-style crackdown using fraud-busting technology and computer systems.

A series of radio, TV and newspaper adverts from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will attempt to put the frighteners on fraudsters by describing "powerful computer systems" that help identify cheats by constantly cross-referencing information across government departments.

One of the techniques used by the DWP includes scanning data sources such as those held by the Inland Revenue to check for inconsistencies and pinpoint people who falsely claim benefits despite being registered for work.

Anti-fraud minister James Plaskitt said in a statement: "Robocop was Hollywood fiction but using technology to catch benefit cheats is now a fact. We are uncovering fraud earlier and in the last year £53m of taxpayer's money was recovered in this way. The campaign is also about deterring potential fraudsters with the warning - you may not hear them but our computers will find you."

The DWP has been set targets to reduce fraud and error in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance by 50 per cent by March 2006 and to reduce fraud and error in Housing Benefit by 25 per cent by the same date.

The DWP was criticised earlier this year by the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee over the £3bn in benefit money lost every year due to fraud and error.