IFED cautions would-be fraudster for trying to fleece RSA

The Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) has arrested and cautioned a man for trying to defraud RSA by making a bogus compensation claim using images of a wound he downloaded from the internet.

The 28-year-old Penarth man told RSA that he had suffered a serious injury at the DW Sports & Fitness gym, submitting the downloaded image to support his £500 claim. But he had suffered only a paper cut that could be treated with a small plaster.

After reviewing the details, RSA referred the case on to IFED for investigation, and detectives travelled soon after to South Wales to arrest and caution the man for committing fraud by false representation.

RSA UK counterfraud manager John Beadle said: “RSA takes fraud very seriously and has invested heavily in systems and controls in order to detect those who might be tempted to commit fraud, in order that we can protect the interests of our  honest customers. This case is a good example of those controls working effectively and of our excellent partnership with the newly formed Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department.”

Head of IFED detective chief inspector Dave Wood said: “IFED is sending out a clear message that insurance fraud in all its forms will not be tolerated, wherever it has been committed.

“There is still a public perception that making bogus claims to insurance companies about accidents, ill-health or stolen property is somehow acceptable. IFED making arrests in South Wales is evidence of how committed we are to changing this culture.”

Dave Whelan, owner of DW Sports & Fitness and chairman of Wigan FC said: “As a company, we are shocked at the levels this man has sunk to in using another person’s injury to make an insurance claim.”

IFED was set up with funding from the insurance industry to fight an area of criminality valued at £3bn per year, amounting tot £50 per policy holder.