Dastardly surfing brings British woman’s carefully curated medical fraud scheme low

"It's not a victimless crime. It's a crime against other members of society."

Surfing strikes again. So there Catherine Wieland of Goring-by-Sea was, enjoying a wonderful life buoyed by government funding. The 33-year-old had such debilitating anxiety that she was unable to leave home nor cook for herself nor clean thus triggering Personal Independence Payments from England’s Department for Work and Pensions.

As it goes, Ms. Wieland’s anxiety would let up enough for her to leave the house for manicures, tanning sessions and pub crawls, a scam she might have kept up for years if it wasn’t for the aforementioned Sport of Kings.

Yes, the fun-loving brunette was brought low after it was revealed that she had taken a surf trip to Cancun, Mexico. Fraud investigation authorities nabbed her and drug her before the courts where she was found guilty and slapped with a 28-week suspended sentence.

Surfers wondering why Cancun was selected instead of Salina Cruz.

When confronted with bank statements showing all wild spending and surfing, she responded, “I didn’t realise you’re not allowed to leave your house.”

Judge Joshua Swirsky, peeved, declared from the bench, “This is pure and simple fraud. It’s not a victimless crime. It’s a crime against other members of society. There is only a limited amount of money awarded to the DWP, for people in need. Your offences are aggravated by what you spent the money on – pubbing and clubbing, shopping for clothes, taking your son on a holiday to Cancun.”

She likely would have gotten away with it all if she hadn’t pushed it with that surf trip.

Swindlers be warned.