10 January 2008: Bed Blocker Busted

An Austrian man has been caught after faking illnesses and injuries so that he could live rent-free in hospitals for the past two years.

The 59-year-old man faked so many injuries and illnesses that since 2005 he had been able to stay in a total of 93 different hospitals. His scam was estimated to have cost the Austrian healthcare system as much as 70,000 pounds in bed and board during the period.

Described by police as a 'Professional hypochondriac', he has been arrested and charged with welfare fraud.