4 Kids - 19 Months - Now That Takes Work!

Thanks to SCF readers Sue & David for another great story of someone trying to rip off the government.

Courtesy of Telegraph News

A jobless woman who "invented" four babies so she could claim £1,500 in maternity benefits has been jailed for four months.

Jill Moore, 36, forged medical signatures from her doctor's surgery to obtain money from the Department of Work and Pensions.

Her deception was discovered when she claimed to be expecting her fourth child in 19 months, Grimsby magistrates were told.

Checks revealed that she had not seen a health visitor for eight years and all the pregnancies were pure invention.

David Smith, prosecuting, said she submitted a maternity grant claim form in November 2003 stating she was seven months pregnant. Her application was supported by a letter purportedly signed by the practice manager of her local health surgery.

Ten months later she submitted another claim form saying she would be giving birth to twins the following month, again supported by a forged signature from a health professional.

A further £1,000 was paid to her and she made a third claim in March 2005 for another pregnancy, claiming the baby was due that July, eight months after the phantom twins.

Moore, from Grimsby, who has four children aged 12 to 21 who do not live with her, admitted three offences of falsely claiming benefit.