Given the economic consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Ministry of Social Development  says people are trying to defraud the government, workers and employers alike.“In these perilous times, we have been witness to numerous examples of random acts of kindness and displays of goodwill by the vast majority of our citizens, for which we must commend them. Unfortunately, however, there have also been instances where we have seen displays of the worst examples of human nature.  And they have outlined the following ways in which people are being dishonest:

·   Applying for the rental grant, intended for payment of rent for housing accommodation, but using it to pay commercial rent

·    Claiming via Declaration, that persons do not have a food card when in fact they are already recipients. 

·    Persons preparing falsified employment letters stating that they have been laid off from work due to COVID when they were never employed.

·    Employers requesting applicants to take a salary cut, and apply for the grant to make up the difference so that the employer could continue to make money at the expense of the government;

·   Persons claiming to be renters at a location for 7 years, the recommender claiming that they know them at that location for 10 years and the landlord attesting that the applicant has been renting at that location for only 6 months.

  “In the disbursement of food cards and while processing declaration forms for persons who have received cards, the Ministry detected the incidence of attempted fraudulent activities by persons attempting to access food support whilst already in possession of a food card. We at the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services strive to treat our fellow citizens with care and compassion in these extraordinary times and we urge people to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. The Government will not tolerate the indecency of any citizen who attempts to defraud the system.   Recommenders are urged to verify all persons before signing.  Persons who are guilty of any of these actions will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the Ministry of  Social Development stated in a News Release on Friday morning.