Dozens of welfare fraudsters spotted by face-detection software

Face-recognition software has resulted in at least 135 cases of suspected fraud being referred to the Department of Social Protection’s investigation unit or to the gardaí, with the department claiming it has already saved almost €1.7m as a result, writes Noel Baker, Senior Reporter.

According to the department, 14 cases brought as a result of the use of the software have been finalised in court, the first in January of 2015, with custodial sentences handed down in nine of those cases.