BBC Watchdog star is wanted over '£24,000 benefits fraud'

He is familiar to viewers of Watchdog as one half of the motorbike-riding team of investigators who chase down unscrupulous tradesmen and bring them to justice.
But Dan Penteado, who co-hosts the Rogue Traders part of the programme with presenter Matt Allwright, ended up as a wanted man himself this week.
The 40-year-old has been accused of pocketing more than £24,000 in benefits that he wasn’t entitled to while he worked for the BBC.

Rogue Traders' Dan Penteado (left) who is wanted by police for alleged benefit fraud while working for the BBC. Pictured right is co-presenter Matt Allwright (right)

Penteado, from Bournemouth, failed to respond to letters of enquiry sent to him by Bournemouth Council.

 

As a result he was sent a court summons to appear before magistrates on Wednesday to answer several charges of fraud – but he faileto show up and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Penteado (left) is accused of pocketing more than £24,000 of government payouts he wasn't entitled to

Rogue Traders sees the camera-wielding, motorcycle-riding presenters go in pursuit of the conmen who take people for a ride

Yesterday, however, police said the warrant was no longer outstanding.
It is believed Penteado got in contact with officers and he has been bailed to appear in court at a later date.
Portuguese-born Penteado started working with Mr Allwright in 2001.
In the last series of Watchdog, the pair confronted eight business owners who they felt were ripping off the public.

Dan Penteado's house in Bournemouth, Dorset. There was no answer at his door yesterday

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