IFED arrests six in home claims fraud crackdown

The City of London Police’s insurance fraud unit has arrested six people and interviewed a further 42 as part of a three-day, nationwide crackdown on household claims fraud this week.

Forty-three officers from the Insurance Fraud Enforcement (IFED) visited 26 police force areas to target the fraud.

The cases targeted in the clampdown combined would have cost the insurance industry £360,000 if insurers had paid out the funds.

The arrests and interviews were made across the country including, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Birmingham, London, Cumbria, Anglesey, Kent, Essex, Cardiff, Bristol and Brighton. 

The arrests made included:

• A 43 year old man was arrested in Sunderland on suspicion of fraud by false representation after making a £10,000 claim for a Tiffany ring lost whilst being taken to be polished.
• A 26 year old woman was arrested in Rainhill, Merseyside on suspicion of fraud by false representation after she made a claim for a wedding ring lost on the 23 February.
• A 34 year old man and a 30 year old woman were arrested in Staines, Surrey on suspicion of fraud buy false representation after making a claim for £45k for a water leak that had caused damage to kitchen and flooring from a faulty boiler.

Detective chief inspector Angie Rogers, who heads IFED, said: “Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime and costs every policyholder £50 each year.

“If people think they can get away with exaggerating or making false claims they should know that the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department have dealt with 1,200 fraudsters since we began in 2011.

“Those caught making false claims will be dealt with, and were appropriate will be put in front of the courts and sent to jail.”

ABI fraud and financial crime manager Mark Allen added: “This concerted nationwide action led by IFED demonstrates how the insurance industry is determined to protect its honest policyholders by taking decisive action to identify and enforce against fraudsters.

“The risks associated with committing insurance fraud are simply not worth it. You’re now more likely than ever to get caught and suffer severe and long-lasting consequences.”