Benefit cheat, 58, pocketed £70k in Universal Credit by claiming to be single but was caught out by his own ENGAGEMENT photo on Facebook

From the Newshound archive · first published 30 September 2026.

Colin Christopher Hegarty, of Springfield Road, Blackpool, falsely told the DWP he was single for more than five years, raking in £70,967.89 in Universal Credit he was not entitled to. A member of the public tipped off the DWP in June 2025, prompting an investigation that unearthed bank statements showing financial links between Hegarty and his partner. When investigators found the Facebook proposal photo — with friends commenting 'so glad I could be there for this beautiful moment' — his five-year ruse collapsed instantly.

Hegarty told investigators he'd stayed quiet because he feared declaring a partner would affect another person living at the property.

When interviewed under caution, he immediately admitted the fraud, saying there was 'no point in lying'.

The DWP is now pursuing full recovery of the £70,967.89 overpayment through its debt recovery processes.