A TikTok influencer hailing from Lancashire who openly discussed living off British benefits while in Thailand has been jailed upon returning to the UK.

Ellis Matthews gained fame for revealing how she supported her £2,300 per-month lifestyle using taxpayers’ money and providing advice on exploiting the system. She claimed to be receiving Disability Living Allowance for her mental health conditions during her four-year stay abroad.

Her overseas life came to an abrupt halt in March 2025 when she was arrested in Bangkok for overstaying her visa and detained in poor conditions. After three months in a grim detention center, she was deported without her son.

Upon her return to Lancashire, Matthews was arrested on drug-related charges. She recently appeared in court where she admitted to drug possession and supply offenses, receiving a 26-month sentence with credit for her prior detention in Thailand.

Despite her troubles, Matthews, known as ‘@mumontheruninasia’ on TikTok, shared that she left her son in Thailand due to concerns about UK social services. She faced criticism for her lifestyle choices but defended herself against accusations of being a neglectful mother.

In an interview, Matthews confessed that her online posts about benefits were for entertainment and financial gain, claiming she did not receive any taxpayer funds while abroad. She admitted to fabricating stories to attract followers and earn money from her TikTok account.