920 people were prosecuted for benefit fraud last year. 895 of them have been sentenced for fraud of a total of 180 million NOK, according to an overview TV 2 news has created.
566 of the people sentenced were men while 329 were women. Fraud cases included on average 196,000 NOK in improper benefits.
TV2 has gone through 920 district court decisions last year on social security fraud. It is noted however, that some decisions may have been appealed.
569 people have been sentenced to prison, 162 got suspended sentences, and in some of them they also had to pay fine. Several were sentenced to community service.
– It is clear that this is serious. National Insurance is based on trust, and fraud weakens the legitimacy of the welfare system. It is serious that people take advantage of the system. But I must also say that the vast majority who receive benefits, are honest, says Sverre Lindahl, Director of NAV Control.
Nav Control has around 125 employees working to uncover insurance fraud.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today
