MPI’s top five frauds of 2011 – Number 5
Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) refers all suspicious claims to its Special Investigation Unit (SIU), which investigates about 3,000 claims each year. These investigations often lead to the apprehension of insurance fraudsters and in 2011, this resulted in fraud savings of more than $9 million for Manitoba auto insurance rate payers.
MPI has released its annual Top Five Frauds list. Today we look at the fraud that took fifth spot – what MPI is calling “Not so Injured”.
While driving his semi-trailer unit, a car passed the driver’s truck, causing the driver to lose vision due to thrown snow. The semi-trailer entered the ditch and the driver was injured.
Unable to work due to the collision, the Winnipeg man began collecting Income Replacement payments from Manitoba Public Insurance. After several months away from work, an investigation was opened due to information provided to the SIU.
Over the next few months the man was observed, and videotaped, driving various trucks to construction sites. In one instance, the man was seen removing heavy tarps off his load of hot asphalt. He was also observed getting into and out of truck cabs with no sign of physical limitations.
After pleading guilty to Fraud Over $5,000, the man received a fine of $2,000 and was also ordered by a judge to pay restitution of nearly $21,000 to Manitoba Public Insurance.
