Woman Deceived Council in Heartless Benefits Scam
A Birmingham woman has been sentenced after committing a calculated benefits fraud by pretending her deceased mother was still alive to claim thousands of pounds in social care payments.
Francine Best, also known as Francine Smithen, continued receiving direct payments intended for her mother's care for over a year after her parent passed away in September 2020.
The Systematic Deception
The 64-year-old deliberately failed to inform Birmingham City Council of her mother's death, allowing payments totalling £35,464 to continue being deposited into her account.
Investigations revealed that Best maintained her deception by falsely telling a social worker in September 2021 that her mother was still alive - a full year after she had died.
From the very beginning of her claim, Best had provided false information, pretending that care for her mother was being provided by the patient's granddaughter when in reality the funds were going directly into Best's bank account and being spent on herself.
Discovery and Legal Consequences
The fraud was uncovered in February 2022 when details of the mother's death came to light, prompting an investigation by the council's dedicated fraud team.
Best pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud and two counts of money laundering at Birmingham Magistrates' Court during an earlier hearing.
On Wednesday, October 29, at Birmingham Crown Court, she received a 24-month community order that included a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
Council Condemns Abuse of System
Cllr Mariam Khan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, expressed outrage at the exploitation of a system designed to support vulnerable residents.
"These payments are meant to help and support our elderly and vulnerable residents be as independent as possible and get the support they need," she stated.
"For someone to abuse the system in such a way is appalling to see. I want to offer my thanks to the council's fraud team for a thorough investigation. I hope this prosecution acts as a deterrent for anyone else trying to falsely claim taxpayers' money."
The case highlights the ongoing efforts by local authorities to combat benefits fraud and protect public funds intended for those genuinely in need of support.
