GOLF caddies at the world famous Muirfield golf course have been illegally claiming state benefits while caddying for Scotland's top judges.
Thirty men pocketed a total of pounds 3,000-a-week in welfare while earning up to pounds 200 a day.
At least three were claiming a higher rate disabled living allowance reserved for people who can hardly walk.
But the caddies were working flat-out at the s****y club popular with many of Scotland's top judges and Edinburgh-based QCs.
Hollywood stars Sean Connery, Michael Douglas and Jack Lemmon and basketball star Michael Jordan also play there along with rich tour ists.
The caddy scam was revealed after a major undercover probe by Benefit Agency investigators.
One caddie at the club, which is officially named The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, boasted last night: "We've been doing this for years and years.
"I can get around pounds 30 or pounds 40 a round, depending on whom I'm caddying for.
"If it's some rich American businessman, I could get pounds 50 easy.
"Even pounds 100 is not unheard of. It's very good
money, in your hand and nobody is complaining.
"But what are we supposed to do? I enjoy the work, it's generally seasonal and it's a brilliant place to work.
"I've caddied for everyone from Jack Lemmon and my mate caddied for the American basketball player Michael Jordan.
"I reckon I make, in the height of the season, about pounds 400 a week in addition to my dole."
The caddie, who refused to be identified, added: "And it's all tax-free as well."
Benefit Agency Investigators caught the men out in a six-week crackdown using hidden cameras.
They photographed and videod them on the golf course and in DSS offices then they built up a dossier of names and pictures and matched them with faces on the agency computer system.
The caddies were interviewed at the golf course in a joint exercise involving the Benefits Agency and officers from Lothian and Borders Police.
A spokeswoman for the Benefits Agency said: "This is a major coup for us and we have known for ages about these caddies.
"This will save us over pounds 100,000 a year because they have been forced to give up their benefits.
"I'm sure some could work their socks off during the summer and take it easy in the winter."
Now the fraud dossier is being studied to decide if criminal proceedings should be brought.
The agency warned the Muirfield investigation - which started in June - was just the start of a major crack-down around the country.
The caddies are not employed by the golf club but are self employed and paid by the golfer direct.
But they are controlled by a "Caddie Master" employed by the club and he keeps a record of who works on what day.
The club secretary, said: "These people are not employed by us and they are not owned by us.
"This is not our problem."
Thirty men pocketed a total of pounds 3,000-a-week in welfare while earning up to pounds 200 a day.
At least three were claiming a higher rate disabled living allowance reserved for people who can hardly walk.
But the caddies were working flat-out at the s****y club popular with many of Scotland's top judges and Edinburgh-based QCs.
Hollywood stars Sean Connery, Michael Douglas and Jack Lemmon and basketball star Michael Jordan also play there along with rich tour ists.
The caddy scam was revealed after a major undercover probe by Benefit Agency investigators.
One caddie at the club, which is officially named The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, boasted last night: "We've been doing this for years and years.
"I can get around pounds 30 or pounds 40 a round, depending on whom I'm caddying for.
"If it's some rich American businessman, I could get pounds 50 easy.
"Even pounds 100 is not unheard of. It's very good
money, in your hand and nobody is complaining.
"But what are we supposed to do? I enjoy the work, it's generally seasonal and it's a brilliant place to work.
"I've caddied for everyone from Jack Lemmon and my mate caddied for the American basketball player Michael Jordan.
"I reckon I make, in the height of the season, about pounds 400 a week in addition to my dole."
The caddie, who refused to be identified, added: "And it's all tax-free as well."
Benefit Agency Investigators caught the men out in a six-week crackdown using hidden cameras.
They photographed and videod them on the golf course and in DSS offices then they built up a dossier of names and pictures and matched them with faces on the agency computer system.
The caddies were interviewed at the golf course in a joint exercise involving the Benefits Agency and officers from Lothian and Borders Police.
A spokeswoman for the Benefits Agency said: "This is a major coup for us and we have known for ages about these caddies.
"This will save us over pounds 100,000 a year because they have been forced to give up their benefits.
"I'm sure some could work their socks off during the summer and take it easy in the winter."
Now the fraud dossier is being studied to decide if criminal proceedings should be brought.
The agency warned the Muirfield investigation - which started in June - was just the start of a major crack-down around the country.
The caddies are not employed by the golf club but are self employed and paid by the golfer direct.
But they are controlled by a "Caddie Master" employed by the club and he keeps a record of who works on what day.
The club secretary, said: "These people are not employed by us and they are not owned by us.
"This is not our problem."