'Honeypot' photographer admits benefit fraud
A photographer, who sued anyone using his images for breach of copyright, has admitted to fraudulently claiming £24,000 in benefits at the same time.
According to The Herald, photographer Alan Mackie raised 30 civil actions against companies which used his images, while also receiving £24,368.31 in benefits that he was not entitled too.
During the hearing at Ayr Sheriff Court yesterday, depute fiscal Erin Campbell, who was prosecuting Mackie, claimed that several witnesses spoke to the Department of Work and Pensions, which launched an investigation following an anonymous tip-off into Mackie’s work.
One witness claimed that Mackie attempted to sue his company for £3,000 for using his images, describing the photographers tactics as a ‘honeypot’ in which people would use the images from the website, not realising that they were doing anything wrong.
Mackie eventually received a lesser amount in compensation.
Sentence following Mackie’s admission of receiving benefits fraudulently, was deferred for reports by Sheriff Desmond Leslie.