$2 million in fraud has been exposed through the tracking of welfare cheats on social media and eBay, says the federal government.
The Department of Human Services admits it is now monitoring social media accounts to catch out people incriminating themselves about false spousal or financial arrangements, reports The Daily Telegraph.
In one case, two people telling Centrelink they were both single so as to claim double payments were busted when they announced on Twitter they were a couple and had a baby together.
“The government uses a variety of means to catch out welfare cheats, many of whom incriminate themselves on social media,” Human Services Minister Stuart Robert said.
“My message is simple, if you commit welfare fraud, you will be caught.”
The government is now monitoring social media to catch Centrelink cheats
As well as Facebook and Twitter, the department is also monitoring eBay to catch welfare recipients who sell assets and don’t declare the income.
The eBay project alone has so far netted $1.7 million.
In total, Mr Robert said the department’s online tracking had so far identified several million dollars in fraud.
“We have an obligation to the Australian people to protect the integrity of welfare payments,” he said.
“The majority of welfare recipients do the right thing. However, the reality is there are those who deliberately try to game the system.
“These people need to understand that they are stealing from their neighbours — including those in the community who are genuinely in need.”
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