Couple jailed for £270,000 benefits fraud scheme involving fake identities and medical claims

A woman who carried out an elaborate, decade-long benefits scam involving fake identities, fabricated health conditions, and even a non-existent caravan has been jailed for two years.

Angela Lloyd, 58, a part-time care worker from Lancashire, fraudulently claimed £169,394 in benefits by assuming multiple aliases — including that of a deceased woman — and manipulating the welfare system with a complex web of lies dating back to 2012.

Her partner, Lee Phillips, 54, also illegally received more than £100,000 in welfare payments during a five-and-a-half-year stretch, making the couple’s total fraudulent haul more than £270,000.

Inside the Scam: A Web of Lies and Fake Identities

The fraud began in February 2012 when Lloyd claimed housing benefit from West Lancashire Borough Council for a caravan that didn’t exist. She backed up the claim with a forged tenancy agreement and received more than £71,000.

But that was just the start.

From 2018 onwards, Lloyd expanded her fraud to St Helens Borough Council, posing as a carer for her partner and using her Zoe Phillips’ birth certificate to impersonate his sister. She told authorities she was unemployed due to her caregiving responsibilities — a lie — as she secretly worked under false names at a care agency and Tesco.

Breakdown of Angela Lloyd’s Fraudulent Claims

Type of Fraud	Details	Amount
Fake Caravan Tenancy	Forged agreement, claimed housing benefit	£71,000+
False Carer Claims	Claimed 35 hours/week care for partner	£73,000+
Deceased Identity Use	Used name of late Joyce Bibby	£13,500+
False Claims for Son’s Health	Claimed Disability and PIP benefits	£10,000+
Misc. Carer’s Allowance	Carer’s Allowance using fake identities	£753
Total	11+ years of deception	£169,394

Lee Phillips: Co-Conspirator and Beneficiary

Phillips, who suffers from serious medical conditions including diabetes, kidney failure, and heart problems, claimed £100,980 in employment support allowance, personal independence payments (PIP), and housing and council tax benefits.

He failed to declare that Lloyd had moved in with him, falsely claimed to live alone, and exaggerated his medical limitations to gain additional support.

The Sentencing

The case was heard at Liverpool Crown Court, where both defendants admitted their crimes:

• Angela Lloyd pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud by false representation.
• Lee Phillips admitted to four counts of fraud-related charges.

Lloyd broke down in tears as Judge Simon Medland KC sentenced her to two years in prison. Phillips was handed a 20-month prison sentence, despite concerns from his legal team about his health and vulnerability in custody.

Judge’s Remarks: “Driven by Greed”

Judge Medland condemned the couple’s behaviour as “a substantial and determined fraud on the public purse,” highlighting the scale of deception, use of false identities, and exploitation of a welfare system designed to protect society’s most vulnerable.

Fraud on the Public Purse: A Growing Concern

This case underscores the seriousness with which UK authorities are now treating benefit fraud, especially those involving sophisticated schemes and identity theft. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) continues to expand its fraud investigation teams, and individuals found guilty face custodial sentences, regardless of personal hardship.

FAQs: