Moment benefits cheat, 39, ‘too weak to lift a phone’ is caught on CCTV climbing over walls after running a 10K

THIS is the shocking moment a benefit cheat who claimed he was too weak to lift his phone was caught grafting on a building site. Ryan Scott, 39, told the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that a workplace accident had left him so ill he could barely open a twist top lid. Ryan Scott was caught grafting on a building site despite claiming disability benefits Credit: SWNS The 39-year-old was handed a community order at Exeter Magistrates Court Credit: SWNS But a DWP investigation discovered it was a pack of lies and he had actually fraudulently claimed more than £7,600 in Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Damning surveillance footage showed him bending down using a trowel to plaster a wall, working away without a care in the world. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! In another clip, Scott, of Torquay, Devon, can be seen climbing up a scaffolding ladder, carrying heavy equipment and sweeping up with a broom. It is in stark contrast to the sob story he initially gave the DWP, claiming he couldn’t carry out basic tasks like lifting a pan, opening twist top lids and sitting upright. Scott told the DWP he was “too weak” to even lift his phone but was caught on camera plastering Credit: SWNS His fraud was undone after investigators found pictures of him competing in a 10k run Credit: SWNS He also insisted he was unable to walk more than 20 metres. The DWP launched surveillance of him in March 2024 after finding pictures of him running a 10k race in July 2023. Exeter Magistrates Court heard Scott legitimately claimed benefits in the initial period after his accident, however he failed to inform the DWP when his health improved. He continued to receive benefit payments into his Monzo account until April 2024. Most read in The Sun The fraudster was filmed climbing up a scaffolding ladder and working on the side of a house Credit: SWNS Scott fraudulently claimed more than £7,600 in PIP Credit: SWNS Taxpayers ended up forking out £7,625.68 in illegitimate payments to him between May 31 2023 and April 7 2024. Scott insisted he struggled with the 10k run after being caught out, telling fraud investigators it took him a long time and he was bedbound for two weeks afterwards. Speaking in Exeter Magistrates Court, he said: “I would like to apologise for any trouble I have caused to anyone. “At the time I was taking a lot of medication. I slipped into deep depression. Scott claimed in court that he had returned to work but did not think about what he was doing Credit: SWNS The crook claimed he was ‘not in a good place’ at the time of his fraud Credit: SWNS “I was going back to work but was not completely able to do it. I was getting picked up by a friend and taken in. It was more to try and pull me out of a deep hole. “I did not think at the time what I was doing. I was not in a good place. It was unintentional and I would like to apologise for that.” Magistrates said there was no reason to think his claim was false from the beginning. Scott, who had no relevant previous convictions, was handed a community order and told to pay a fine, costs and victim surcharge totalling £360 on Thursday. A DWP spokesperson said: “Benefit fraud is not a victimless crime – it steals money from the people who need it most. “Whatever your reasons for cheating the system, know that our investigators are wise to every trick in the book and we will find you. “So, if you know someone is playing the system, turn them in.” 4 comments4