Insurance Fraud Bureau and City of London Police involved in joint operation.

Four professionals have been charged in connection with a suspected £4m fraud against the insurance industry.

The four people, including those from the medical and legal professions, were charged on Wednesday as part of an ongoing joint operation with City of London Police and the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB).

All the suspects were released on bail to appear again at City of London Magistrates on 8 October.

The case is supported by the General Medical Council and the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

The people charged are:

  • Lawyer Brian Barso, 39, charged with money laundering and fraud by false representation;
  • Dr Lawrence Adler, 57, charged with money laundering and fraud by false representation;
  • Company director Frank Harrold, 34, charged with money laundering
  • Company director Natalie Barso, 38, charged with money laundering.

Detective Superintendent Bob Wishart, from the City of London Police’s economic crime directorate, said: "Organised defrauding of the insurance industry is a growing problem that we are taking very seriously, and we are working closely with the IFB, Solicitors Regulation Authority and General Medical Council to eradicate this crime."

Glen Marr, director of the Insurance Fraud Bureau, said: "The IFB works very closely with law enforcement and regulators to tackle those concerned with fraudulent activity. We are also currently developing further relationships with other organisations, bodies and agencies, to ramp up our counter-fraud activities. Rooting out and disrupting professionals who feature in any act of organised fraud against insurers is a priority for the IFB and will continue to be."

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