Blind man arrested after driving

Published : Apr 20, 2011 - 15:55 Updated : Apr 20, 2011 - 16:23

An Italian man was reportedly arrested for pretending to be blind in order to receive disabilities benefits.

Since 2003, the 67-year-old man allegedly to be sightless applied for governmental welfare for his ‘disabilities’ and had been receiving about $85,000 worth of support, according to ANSA, the Italian news agency.

His swindle came to the end when his automobile was pulled over by police at a random traffic stop. At first, the police fined him for not having the driver’s license with him. However they later found out from their data base that he was one of suspects of disability fraud.

After realizing that the man was only pretending to be blind, the police arrested him for wrongfully receiving welfare support.

Kang Yoon-seung (koreacolin@gmail.com) Intern reporter

<한글 요약>

장님 연기하던 남성, 운전하다 적발

장애인 복지금을 받기 위해 장님 연기를 하던 이탈리아 남자가 운전 도중 경찰에 적발되었다.

현지 언론보도에 따르면, 올해 67세인 이 남성은 2003년부터 총 6만 유로 정도의 복지 혜택을 받아왔다.

그의 사기 행각은 자동차를 몰다 경찰 불시 검문에 걸리고 나서야 멈췄다. 애초 경찰은 면허증 미소지 혐의로 벌금을 부과했다. 그러나 이 남성의 이름을 경찰 데이터에 입력한 후, 장애인 연기를 하고 있다는 사실을 밝혀냈다.

경찰은 복지금 부당 수혜 혐의로 이 남성을 체포했다.