Probe finds £10m of scams and mistakes

AN anti-fraud drive by public sector bodies in Scotland had uncovered nearly £10 million in scams and mistakes, it was revealed today.

A total of £9.7 million was found to have been paid out as a result of fraud, overpayment, or errors, said spending watchdog Audit Scotland.

Among the cases uncovered by the probe were 186 pensions being paid out where someone was dead, and more than 1,500 housing benefit cases involving public sector pensioners.

The drive also resulted in 969 "blue badge" disabled parking permits being cancelled when investigators discovered that the holder had died.

A number of payroll frauds or irregularities were also found, and one council found an employee had received £20,000 in sick pay over a two-year period – while working for a health board.

The scams were uncovered by the National Fraud Initiative, which formed part of the auditing process for 74 public bodies, including councils, the police, health boards, the Scottish Public Pension Agency, and the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.