The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions condemns £54million benefit cheats gang

Minister denounces 'cold & calculated' theft

Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride, has criticized Britain's largest benefit cheats for their "cold, calculated" actions in stealing nearly £54million intended for the vulnerable. The gang of five, originating from Bulgaria, defrauded the taxpayer by submitting over 6,000 false claims for Universal Credit. Their fraudulent activities were detected due to suspicious patterns in the claims, leading to raids on their homes where police discovered luxury cars, jewellery, and £750,000 in cash hidden under a bed.

System abused by benefit fraud factories

The benefit cheats operated from what officials describe as "benefit fraud factories," exploiting a system meant to support those in need. Secretary Mel Stride condemned their actions, stating, "These criminals were cold and calculated in their manipulation of a system designed to help the most vulnerable people back on their feet."