A New York man has been charged with impersonating his dead mother so he could claim her benefits - for six years.
Thomas Prusik-Parkin, 49, allegedly wore a wig, thick make-up and old dresses as part of his elaborate ruse to claim £70,000 in social security benefits and rent subsidies.
Prosecutors, who described the alleged fraud as "unparalleled in its scope and brazenness", say it started when Mr Prusik-Parkin's mother, Irene Prusik, died in 2003 aged 73.
Mr Prusik-Parkin, who had lived with her, allegedly gave his mother's funeral director a false social security number and date of birth so her death did not show up on government records.
Dressed as Mrs Prusik, he would then collect benefit cheques, visit banks and even go to renew her driving licence, say police in Brooklyn.
On each occasion, he would be accompanied by an accomplice, Mhilton Rimolo. Posing as her nephew, he would help the 'frail old lady' to walk and communicate with officials.
Charles Hynes, Brooklyn's district attorney, revealed: "He said he's not Norman Bates. This guy is not stupid, this guy is very smart. His schemes were brilliant."
Mr Prusik-Parkin was arrested after prosecutors received a tip-off from the owner of the building where his mother lived and arranged to interview 'Mrs Prusick'.
He turned up "wearing a red cardigan, lipstick, manicured nails and breathing through an oxygen tank", say prosecutors. He was wearing a scarf to hide his Adam's apple but failed to conceal his "rather large hands".
Mr Prusik-Parkin and Mr Rimolo, 47, were charged with grand larceny, forgery and conspiracy. Both denied the charges which carry a prison sentence of up to 25 years.
Source : Ananova
Thomas Prusik-Parkin, 49, allegedly wore a wig, thick make-up and old dresses as part of his elaborate ruse to claim £70,000 in social security benefits and rent subsidies.
Prosecutors, who described the alleged fraud as "unparalleled in its scope and brazenness", say it started when Mr Prusik-Parkin's mother, Irene Prusik, died in 2003 aged 73.
Mr Prusik-Parkin, who had lived with her, allegedly gave his mother's funeral director a false social security number and date of birth so her death did not show up on government records.
Dressed as Mrs Prusik, he would then collect benefit cheques, visit banks and even go to renew her driving licence, say police in Brooklyn.
On each occasion, he would be accompanied by an accomplice, Mhilton Rimolo. Posing as her nephew, he would help the 'frail old lady' to walk and communicate with officials.
Charles Hynes, Brooklyn's district attorney, revealed: "He said he's not Norman Bates. This guy is not stupid, this guy is very smart. His schemes were brilliant."
Mr Prusik-Parkin was arrested after prosecutors received a tip-off from the owner of the building where his mother lived and arranged to interview 'Mrs Prusick'.
He turned up "wearing a red cardigan, lipstick, manicured nails and breathing through an oxygen tank", say prosecutors. He was wearing a scarf to hide his Adam's apple but failed to conceal his "rather large hands".
Mr Prusik-Parkin and Mr Rimolo, 47, were charged with grand larceny, forgery and conspiracy. Both denied the charges which carry a prison sentence of up to 25 years.
Source : Ananova
