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Photos including hearts, an engagement ring and a "romantic" fondue pot posted to Instagram and Facebook have led a local mum to be found guilty of benefit fraud totalling around £83,000.
Georgina Mary Mason (39) had repeatedly claimed that she was not in a relationship and lived alone – allowing her to claim more Income Support – and that the photos were only posted to social media to reassure the UK-based family of the father of her child.
Following a three-day trial in the Royal Court, she was yesterday convicted of failing to declare a change in circumstances to the Social Security Department, and two charges of knowingly giving false information with intent to obtain an award, all between September 2018 and October 2021.
Mason met her partner when he was over from the UK, working at the funfair. He proposed to Mason on Christmas Day 2018, and the pair went on to have a child together.
Crown Advocate Luke Sette, prosecuting, told the Royal Court that several Facebook and Instagram posts showed Mason and the man she claimed was not her partner operating as a "family unit".
Those posts include captions such as ,"True love does exist", hearts, and references to being engaged to be married.
But Mason said that she had never been in "a proper relationship" with the man.
The social media posts were created for his family to see him doing well, she claimed.
"He gave me a ring to show his family he had grown up," she said.
Pictured: The trial took place in Jersey's Royal Court.
Advocate Sette said: "She herself refers to him as her fiancé.
"It seems like quite the sham if they were not, in fact, engaged to get married."
A health visitor who had made regular visits to Mason's home also described the man in her reports as Mason's partner, mentioning that his sleep was affected by a noisy neighbour.
Advocate Sette, interrogating Mason, asked if she was painting a false picture.
She replied: "That's what social media is. It's what you want to paint to the world."
Referring to a post revolving around a homemade fondue pot, Advocate Sette said: "That looks like a romantic moment."
Mason laughed and responded: "No, it was just an oil burner."
Advocate James Bell, defending, said that the evidence presented by the prosecution was circumstantial and not enough to be sure of Mason's guilt.
He added that investigators from Customer and Local Services had not visited Mason's home, and that the health visitor was focused on the newborn baby - not the nature of the relationship between Mason and the man.
"It's well known that people post pictures to portray a life on social media that is not quite what it is. That is part of modern life," he said.
Advocate Bell further criticised the use of notes from agency workers, which he described as one-sided and which Mason was not able to review when they were made.
However, after less than one hour of deliberation, Lieutenant Bailiff Jane Ronge and David Le Heuzé, who were sitting as Jurats, found Mason guilty on all counts.
Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae were presiding.
Mason was remanded on bail until 5 February for sentencing.
Following the conviction, Deputy Malcolm Ferey, Assistant Minister for Social Security, said: “Every benefit fraud case is a crime against the whole community and this case serves to highlight that anyone cheating the system is highly likely to be discovered and, when necessary, prosecuted for their offences.
“We are mindful that this course of action can have serious short-term and long-term consequences for any individual who is put through the judicial system, but we need to deter fraudulent claims and at the same time protect public finances for those who are genuinely in need of financial assistance.”
The Government added: "Income Support is in place to help those islanders who have a low household income. It is important that those receiving Income Support update Customer and Local Services about any change of circumstances that may impact the benefit they are receiving.
"Fraudulent claims can arise for several reasons, including when customers fail to declare their relationship status. Potentially fraudulent activity is investigated by officers at Customer and Local Services, who seek evidence from other jurisdictions where necessary. This case illustrates that any illegal activity regarding benefit entitlement is taken extremely seriously.
"We ask islanders to let us know if they suspect anyone of making fraudulent claims to obtain Income Support or any other benefit. Their identity will always be protected, whether the allegation is found to be true or not."
Members of the public who believe an individual may be claiming fraudulently can share information anonymously via the Government's 'Report a Benefit Thief' page, or via the Fraud Hotline 0800 735 1111.
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