Benefit fraudsters swindled £630k from DWP to build property empire - including Spain home

Benefit fraudsters swindled £630k from DWP to build property empire - including Spain homeSteve and Kim Benstock amassed an 'impressive' portfolio of homes from their tax and benefit fraud Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Jon King, News Reporter 08:34, Wed, Jun 3, 2026 Updated: 08:39, Wed, Jun 3, 2026 Steve and Kim Benstock amassed an 'impressive' portfolio of homes (Image: Facebook)A married couple swindled £630,000 by claiming benefits and dodging tax while building up a "Monopoly"-style property empire, a court heard. Steve and Kim Benstock amassed an "impressive" portfolio of homes - all while committing benefit and tax fraud, Snaresbrook Crown Court was told. window.scriptsToLoad.push({url:'https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=118222&vp_content=plembed3a6btjknzwqh&cbuster=%%CACHEBUSTER%%&playerApiId=v118222',triggeredBy:'tcfLoaded',delay:1500,containerId:'ovp-primis',title:"Primis player",beforeLoad:()=>{window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v118222"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}})},}) The pair allegedly made fake claims to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) while failing to declare their earnings to HM Revenue & Customs. The court heard Mr and Mrs Benstock used the ill-got gains to live a "somewhat lavish lifestyle", including trips to Thailand and the Caribbean, as well as buying a holiday home in Fuerteventura. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Get personal finance news, money saving tips and advice plus selcted offers and competitions Subscribe Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy PolicySteve Benst...