Bust! Benefits Cheat Pocketed Nearly £29k in Fake Claims
A shameless benefits fraudster has been caught claiming a whopping £28,745 in Universal Credit she wasn’t entitled to. Now Paulina Motyka, 41, from Hellesdon, Norwich, faces 150 hours of unpaid community work after exploiting the system for over two years.
Two Years of Sneaky Benefit Scams
Motyka cooked the books from January 2021 to March 2023 by hiding capital investments in property. Universal Credit rules strictly cap savings and investments at £16,000 — a limit she blatantly ignored. Her dodgy claims lasted 86 weeks and 6 days, slipping under the radar until now.
She even required a Portuguese interpreter at Norwich Magistrates’ Court, showing the serious nature of the case.
Harsh Punishment, But No Jail Time
Motyka admitted guilt to dishonestly failing to report changes in her finances. The court hit her with a 12-month community order, mandating 150 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation.
Her offence carries up to six months in jail, but she dodged a prison sentence — for now. On top of the sentence, she must repay the £28,745 and may be banned from claiming benefits for up to three years.
