A life coach who pretended to be unemployed has been found guilty of two counts of benefit fraud.
Lydia Frempong from Cheam raked in £4,525 in Jobseekers Allowance, and claimed £520.55 in Council Tax Benefit.
An investigation by Sutton Council’s Benefits Investigation Team found she was receiving the money while working as an event organiser and life coach.
On her website Frempong is described as a confidence coach with a passion for helping young people emulate her success.
There is also reference to a press article labelling her as Britain’s most enterprising charity worker.
The fraudster founded Butterfly PR which specialises in working with celebrities, charities and corporations.
She pleaded guilty to two charges of benefit fraud at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 15.
Frempong was sentenced to a Community Punishment Order of 110 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months.
She was also ordered to pay the money back to the London Borough of Sutton and the Department for Work and Pensions.
The businesswoman was also told to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £80 towards the cost of prosecution.
Her sentencing took place at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court on Thursday, July 17.
Speaking after the case, Councillor Nick Emmerson, lead member for Revenues and Benefit at Sutton Council said: "Thanks to our Benefits Investigation Team we found that Frempong lied in order to falsely claim thousands of pounds in benefits.
"We believe in a fair council that supports residents with the benefits they are entitled to. Ms Frempong has abused the system and must now return this money."
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