Bogus leprosy claims uncovered in Greek £91m benefit-fraud

Nearly one-in-six Greek disability allowances are to be cancelled after thousands of payments were found to be based on false claims.

The flase claims included drivers registered as being legally blind and bogus cases of leprosy.

Deputy Health Minister Markos Bolaris said that 36,000 allowances will be stopped, saving the government €110m a year. The action was taken on the results of a compulsory survey for beneficiaries.

Mr Bolaris said the government expected to save a further €120m in annual payments following a more detailed benefit-fraud inquiry.