Three arrests made in bogus claim investigation

Police swooped to make three arrests in Derby and Burton part of an ongoing investigation into suspected bogus accident claims.

Detectives from the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) working with Derbyshire Police carried out raids at two residential addresses, and later at an accident claims company.

Here detectives seized a large number of files believed to be used to facilitate fraudulent claims to solicitors which are then referred on to different insurers.

A man and his wife, aged 43 and 42, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering, while a second man, aged 41, was arrested by appointment, also on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.

All three are currently detained at local police stations.  

IFED was set up January 2012 with funding from the insurance industry to combat the increasing problem of insurance fraud. It is estimated that false claims cost the industry £2bn a year, the equivalent of £50 per policy holder.

The new unit has made a series of arrests across the UK, targeting organised criminals behind car insurance fraud as well as fraudsters who submit bogus claims to make easy money.

IFED head DCI Dave Wood said: “Since launching in January IFED has sent out a clear message that insurance fraud will not be tolerated; wherever and however it is committed and by whom. IFED making arrests in Derbyshire are further evidence of how we are working to change this culture across England and Wales.”