A BRAZEN balaclava-wearing scrounger has given a step-by-step guide to getting a £31,000 car for “basically nothing” in an exploitation of benefits.
The “influencer” told his 25,000 followers a way to use a taxpayer-funded disability scheme to pickup a motor for a fraction of its price.
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This comes as the number of Brits claiming new motors under the Motability scheme has surged by 30% in just five years.
The program is intended to enable disabled people, their families, and their carers, to lease a new car.
However, a Sun investigation discovered countless TikTok videos encouraging Brits to claim under the scheme.
One clip showed a balaclava-wearing man describe the steps to pick up an Abarth 695 Sport, normally worth £31,000, for “basically free”.
He said: “To get this car, all you have to do is pay £599.”
“This car is an automatic with near enough 200 brake horsepower, and it does 0-60 in 6.5 seconds.”
What are the repurcussions for misusing the Motability Scheme?
Anyone being found to engage in criminal activity or benefit fraud should be reported to the local authorities or contact the police on 101.
Examples of misuse of the Motability Scheme include:
- Not using the vehicle for the disabled person’s benefit. It needs to primarily serve the needs of the disabled person. You cannot use it for other purposes
- Driving while not named on the Direct Line Motability policy of insurance, or while banned or disqualified from driving
- Using the car in illegal or criminal activities
- Lending, sub-leasing, or selling the vehicle. This includes using it for business reasons we haven’t agreed with you, like as a taxi or for deliveries
- Not taking good care of the vehicle
If you are found to have engaged in benefit fraud, you could face the potential consequences:
- Criminal Offences: Misusing the Motability scheme can lead to various criminal offences, including wrongful use, mishandling of documents, and fraud.
- Penalties: Penalties for misuse can range from fines and confiscation of the vehicle to community orders, electronically monitored curfews, and even custodial sentences.
- Fraud: If the misuse involves dishonesty, such as using a fake or stolen badge, or using a vehicle for purposes other than those intended, you could be charged with fraud.
- Motability’s Actions: Motability takes misuse very seriously and will investigate any allegations. If misuse is proven, they can take action, including terminating the lease, preventing future scheme vehicles, and potentially pursuing legal action.
- Reporting Misuse: If you suspect someone is misusing a Motability vehicle, you can report it to Motability using their online form or by contacting their customer services team.
The Motability scheme has provided a lifeline to disabled people for years, however since Covid, Motability has been allowed to grow into a massive industry way past its original remit.
A system designed to help the most vulnerable use their Government PIP payments has now expanded into a £7billion company supplying one in five new cars in Britain.
Now, thousands claiming to have issues such as anxiety, have been allowed to sign up for luxury BMWs and Mercedes 4x4s.
Taxpayers are now paying for people who say they are depressed to claim free driving lessons.
Currently, drivers with a provisional licence on certain benefits can claim up to 40 hours of free driving lessons through the scheme.
The average cost of a one-hour driving lesson in the UK is between £25 and £30, according to the RAC.
That means the 40 free hours could save up to £1,200.
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