Benefit cheat who claimed anxiety left her housebound caught ziplining in Mexico
A woman who defrauded more than £23,000 in benefits claiming she was too ill to go outside was caught surfing and ziplining in Mexico.
The DWP said it found evidence of Wieland, from Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex, surfing in Cancun and visiting Thorpe Park three times, all while racking up tens of thousands of pounds in Personal Independence Payments (Pip) over more than two years.
When investigators confronted her with bank statements she told them: “I didn’t realise you’re not allowed to leave your house”, the DWP said.
While claiming her health was so poor she could not cook or wash herself, Wieland made 76 beauty appointments, visited 60 pubs, clubs and restaurants and spent money in foreign currencies.
She pleaded guilty to failing to notify a change of circumstances and must now repay the £23,662 stolen from taxpayers between 2021 and 2024.
She was sentenced on Thursday to 28 weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months, the DWP said.
“Wieland lied repeatedly, milked the system for every penny she could get and then had the nerve to claim her condition was worsening while she was ziplining and surfing in Mexico.
“We are committed to finding those who try to defraud taxpayers, and they will face the consequences.”