Benefits cheat jailed for claiming while in Sri Lanka (From News Shopper)
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Benefits cheat jailed for claiming while in Sri Lanka
5:25pm Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in Bromley By Heloise Wood
A BENEFITS cheat fraudulently claimed almost £9,000 while in Sri Lanka.
Sepalika Dondeenu, aged 43, of Ravensleigh Gardens, Bromley, has admitted claiming £4,344 in housing and council tax benefits from Bromley Council and £4,502 from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in income support.
A referral to the council fraud team triggered an investigation showing Dondeenu was in Sri Lanka during the period she was claiming benefits, between October 2010 and September last year.
Dondeenu was found guilty of benefit fraud and sentenced on October 4 at Bromley Magistrates Court to pay a £100 in costs and comply with a collection order.
Chairman of Bromley’s audit committee Councillor Neil Reddin said: "Bromley Council will continue to protect scarce public funds and ensure only people genuinely entitled to benefits should be claiming."
