A woman from Onchan, Isle of Man has been fined £750 after Facebook posts revealed she was fraudulently claiming benefits as a single person while living with a partner.
Maxine Ball, 31, received income support benefit from March 2021 to November 2024 based on her status as a single person.
The fraud was uncovered when social media checks in September 2024 showed she had had a baby and was in a relationship.
Ball has since repaid £7,570 in overpaid benefits to the treasury.
She pleaded guilty to one count of benefit fraud by failing to inform a change of circumstances.
Bank records revealed Ball had received £4,461 in transfers from her partner between May 2023 and August 2024.
During an interview at Markwell House in Douglas, Ball initially claimed her partner only stayed over a few nights per week.
She said he would randomly give her money and buy items for their baby.
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Ball also claimed her partner sometimes transferred money to use himself due to issues with his Revolut account.
However, after a break in the interview, she apologised for lying and admitted he had been living at her address.
The Social Security investigation included surveillance of Ball's address between October 2 and 30.
Inspectors observed a male leaving the property each morning during the surveillance period.
The authorities also gained access to Ball's bank account, which showed she was receiving regular payments from the man.
The investigation was prompted by Facebook posts that revealed Ball had given birth and indicated she was in a relationship.
These findings led to Ball being interviewed at Markwell House in Douglas on November 20, where she eventually confessed to the fraud.
Ball, who lives at Ballachrink Drive, had no previous convictions, magistrates heard.
A probation report noted that while the partner had not initially lived at her address full time, the situation had changed.
The report recommended a fine as the most appropriate sentence, citing medical issues that could prevent community service.
Ball agreed to pay the £750 fine by the end of February.
The magistrates also ordered her to pay £50 in prosecution costs.
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Maxine Ball, 31, received income support benefit from March 2021 to November 2024 based on her status as a single person.
The fraud was uncovered when social media checks in September 2024 showed she had had a baby and was in a relationship.
Ball has since repaid £7,570 in overpaid benefits to the treasury.
She pleaded guilty to one count of benefit fraud by failing to inform a change of circumstances.
Bank records revealed Ball had received £4,461 in transfers from her partner between May 2023 and August 2024.
During an interview at Markwell House in Douglas, Ball initially claimed her partner only stayed over a few nights per week.
She said he would randomly give her money and buy items for their baby.
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Ball also claimed her partner sometimes transferred money to use himself due to issues with his Revolut account.
However, after a break in the interview, she apologised for lying and admitted he had been living at her address.
The Social Security investigation included surveillance of Ball's address between October 2 and 30.
Inspectors observed a male leaving the property each morning during the surveillance period.
The authorities also gained access to Ball's bank account, which showed she was receiving regular payments from the man.
The investigation was prompted by Facebook posts that revealed Ball had given birth and indicated she was in a relationship.
These findings led to Ball being interviewed at Markwell House in Douglas on November 20, where she eventually confessed to the fraud.
Ball, who lives at Ballachrink Drive, had no previous convictions, magistrates heard.
A probation report noted that while the partner had not initially lived at her address full time, the situation had changed.
The report recommended a fine as the most appropriate sentence, citing medical issues that could prevent community service.
Ball agreed to pay the £750 fine by the end of February.
The magistrates also ordered her to pay £50 in prosecution costs.
Find Out More...