BENEFIT fraudsters conned Basildon Council out of more than £800,000 last year, the Echo can reveal.

Figures released by the authority show it paid out £656,804 in housing benefits to 96 fraudulent claimants between November 2009 and November 2010.

The council forked out a further £143,364 in council tax benefits to 87 fraudsters over the 12 months.

The authority said a “high proportion” of cases involved people who claimed both housing and council tax benefits fraudulently.

Phil Turner, Basildon Council’s cabinet member for resources, said: “Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are those out there with criminal minds and fraud does happen.

“However, Basildon Council made a decision a long time ago to tackle this blight without attacking those in genuine need.”

The council says those who abuse the system will face the consequences of their false claims through legal action.

It took 32 benefit fraud cases to court over the couse of the 12 months. All but two of the prosecutions undertaken by the council were successful.

The council has also been working with the Department for Work and Pensions to tackle fraudsters. Together with the department, the council undertook eight prosecutions, which were all successful in court.

A further 17 cases are still awaiting the outcome of court proceedings.

Mr Turner added: “Our message is plain and clear.

“If you are not entitled to benefits, don’t try to take what isn’t yours, otherwise you must face the consequences.”