Multiple arrests, a criminal investigation and a nationwide car insurance scam – these are just three of the many things the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) dealt with in their first fortnight of operation.
Within hours of the new unit opening its doors for business on the third of January a man had been detained in Leamington Spa after claiming £35,000 for a stolen BMW that was still in his possession.
Before the week was out IFED had responded to a number of industry reports of policy holders making bogus claims.
This included a Hertfordshire man who in 2005 claimed a back injury had left him unable to work, leaving his insurance company with a bill running into several hundred thousand pounds.
However, IFED found evidence that disputed the man’s claims and led to the man’s arrest and the departments first criminal charges.
There were also investigations into an internet car insurance company that was pocketing premiums but not providing any cover. These investigations resulted in three arrests. Whether a full investigation on this case will be launched is still yet to be decided.
Another case the department dealt with was a man who staged a burglary in his own home to make a claim for £29,000 worth of electrical goods and jewelery.
DCI Dave Wood, who is heading up IFED, said, “We wanted to make an immediate impact and put out a clear statement of intent, and that is exactly what we have done.
“In two weeks we have travelled far and wide to dismantle organised insurance fraud and tackle opportunistic insurance fraud. The challenge for us is to maintain this very high level of performance.”
