£32,000 Dundee benefits fraudster caught out by Facebook wedding anniversary message

A Dundee woman who raked in £32,000 in single person tax credits was caught after benefits bosses saw a Facebook post congratulating her on her wedding anniversary.

Margaret Grieve fraudulently claimed working and child tax credits for three years, telling HM Revenue and Customs she was a single mother of two.

But the 53-year-old was actually living with her husband of over 20 years at their home in Fintry. The first-time offender will return to Dundee Sheriff Court in February to be sentenced.

Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson told the court: “On the accused’s Facebook page, which she set up in 2010, it states that she has been married to Frederick Grieve since 1990 and her profile picture featured both her and Mr Grieve together.

“In 2011, a friend wished the accused a happy wedding anniversary and the accused replied with her thanks.”

Grieve later told fraud investigators that she knew about her responsibility to notify HMRC of any change in her circumstances.

Grieve, of Finella Terrace, admitted fraudulently claiming £32,000 in Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit between April 2008 and April 2011.

Sheriff Tom Hughes deferred sentence for reports until February 12.