The Insurance Crime Bureau - News & Views...Murder, Theft, Fraud & Corruption...

The Insurance Crime Bureau recently received information as regards to a number of what appeared to be “simple un-natural death” claims.

Some of the facts uncovered in the resulting investigation were:

• The claims all related to deaths between November 2016 and March 2017, in and around Pietermaritzburg. 
• The cause of death varied, including numerous hit & runs and drownings. 
• There were a number of different “unrelated claimants” involved in the scheme. 
• Through investigation it was proved that some of the deceased had in fact passed away at a date prior to the reported accident, and the initial claim had been for natural causes.  
• It was then discovered that in order to stage an “accident or drowning” the syndicate were killing innocent individuals to claim the benefit under the policy. 
• One if the informants interviewed even admitted that she was paid R 5000 to identify a strangers body as that of her brother. 
• The syndicate involved targets funeral homes, and multiple insurance companies. 
• They are sophisticated team, and have even falsified police reports. 
• They will source individuals with the same surname as the deceased, to assist in the identification of the bodies. 
• The group has cultivated connections within SAPS to assist in the fraud.  
• One of the “claimants” is even employed at the DOH.

Read the full article on FA News