The absence of a border combined with a lack of controls in Saint-Martin encourage social fraud. The trick is known by some: we use an address on the French side to be able to fulfill one of the main conditions for the granting of social assistance in France, to be resident on the national territory.
In recent years, controls have been operated, but they remain few due to lack of human and material resources. It remains difficult to assess the situation of all beneficiaries.
Another proven fact, a large number of recipients of social benefits recover them in cash from their banking establishment.
The restriction on crossing the border for several weeks confirmed what the authorities had previously described as strong assumptions. Being unable to come in the French part, the beneficiaries living in the Dutch part, could not go to Marigot to withdraw their allowances.
According to our sources, around one million euros were not withdrawn in April. And as much in May. Then from June 2, the day when the traffic restrictions were lifted, the beneficiaries (many) came back.
These findings were shared by the competent authorities with the Saint-Martin prosecutor's office, which was officially seized of the file.
The fight against this type of fraud is already one of the priorities of the Territorial Anti-Fraud Operational Committee (COTAF), actions should therefore be reinforced, including identifying the addresses used by several beneficiaries who have no link between them. (soualigapost.com)
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