Paisley man pleads guilty to mass identity theft in universal credit scam worth nearly £170,000.
A Paisley man has admitted running a large-scale benefits scam that saw him steal the identities of 68 people to fraudulently claim almost £170,000 in Universal Credit.
James Stephen Barley, 37, appeared at Carlisle’s Rickergate court, where he pleaded guilty to three charges linked to the elaborate scheme. The offences covered a period from December 2018 to March 2021 and involved 157 separate fraudulent applications.
Prosecutors said Barley systematically used other people’s personal details to lodge claims, each of which included requests for advance payments. To support the false applications, he created forged documents such as tenancy agreements, bank statements, and official-looking correspondence relating to newly opened bank accounts.
The total sum obtained through the fraud was £169,045.
Barley, who is currently in legitimate employment and earning £700 a week, was warned that a prison sentence is a likely outcome when he returns to Carlisle Crown Court for sentencing on 9 September.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe charges state that he “hijacked the identity” of dozens of individuals, fabricating evidence to make the fraudulent benefit claims appear genuine.
Court proceedings revealed a calculated and repeat pattern of deception, with Barley exploiting the Universal Credit system’s vulnerabilities over more than two years. By presenting forged paperwork and using stolen personal data, he was able to secure payments intended for genuine claimants.
The scam, described in court as both deliberate and sophisticated, relied on the creation of convincing false records. This included fabricated tenancy agreements to suggest the claimants were living in rented accommodation, and counterfeit bank statements to give the impression of financial need. Correspondence regarding newly opened bank accounts was also forged to support the legitimacy of each application.
The prosecution outlined how Barley’s actions exploited weaknesses in the verification process for benefits claims. In many cases, advance payments were released before any thorough checks could be completed, allowing him to access funds quickly.
While no detailed breakdown of victims’ losses was given in court, the fraudulent activity is expected to have caused distress and potential long-term financial complications for the 68 people whose identities were stolen.
Despite having stable, well-paid work at the time of his arrest, Barley continued with the fraud, suggesting that financial gain was his primary motivation rather than necessity. His guilty pleas have avoided the need for a full trial, but the scale and duration of the offences mean a custodial sentence is considered highly likely.
The case comes amid renewed political debate over the vulnerability of the UK’s welfare system to organised fraud. Critics argue that identity verification safeguards remain too weak, while supporters of reform highlight the need to balance security with swift payments for those in genuine need.
Barley will remain on bail until his sentencing next month. The court has yet to hear any mitigation from his legal team, which is expected to focus on his guilty plea and any steps taken since his arrest to address the harm caused.
If imprisoned, Barley could also face efforts to recover some of the stolen money under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
