Allegations of Pension Fraud Surface as Overseas Guyanese Reportedly Illegally Claim Benefits

Concerns have been raised about Guyanese citizens living abroad fraudulently collecting old-age pensions despite not meeting residency requirements.

Allegations of Pension Fraud Surface as Overseas Guyanese Reportedly Illegally Claim Benefits

Concerns have been raised about possible fraudulent activity on Guyana's old-age pension rolls, with reports that some citizens residing overseas may be collecting benefits without meeting the necessary residency conditions.

According to a column published by Kaieteur News, certain individuals who have spent years living in countries such as the United States and Canada have reportedly been returning to Guyana, applying for local passports, opening bank accounts, and then placing themselves on the pension register. The publication suggests these claimants may not satisfy the legal requirement of residing within the country.

The column also raises allegations that some people have allegedly paid bribes equivalent to one month's pension in order to gain access to the benefit. If accurate, this would mean individuals are paying illicit payments to qualify for funds intended for elderly citizens in financial need, then continuing to receive monthly payments from public coffers.

The author argues that every dollar paid out to an ineligible recipient is money that could otherwise be directed toward increasing payments for legitimate pensioners who actually live in Guyana and depend on the assistance. The piece questions why the number of people on the pension roll appears to be expanding more rapidly than the population of individuals over the age of sixty-five would suggest.

The publication calls for anyone found to have deliberately deceived authorities to collect pension payments unlawfully to face prosecution and be required to repay all funds obtained improperly.

Source: Kaieteur News

Source: Kaieteur News