Exaggerated injuries, ‘sniper’ fire among top fraudulent MPI claims in 2024

Posted on December 23, 2024 by Peggy

A Manitoba Public Insurance investigation unit says it detected thousands of fraudulent claims this year, saving customers $15 million.

MPI investigators looked into more than 3,500 cases involving suspicious claims in 2024, the non-profit Crown corporation, which provides insurance, registration and licensing services to drivers, said in a news release on Monday.

Such investigations are “valuable to MPI and its customers” in combating fraudulent insurance claims and raising awareness, said Maria Campos, the corporation’s vice president and chief customer and product officer.

“By investigating and finding those who are committing insurance fraud, MPI is able to protect the integrity of Manitoba’s public insurance system by ensuring the right claims are paid to the right people for the right amount,” the release says.

Exaggerated injuries

Frauds involved instances such as a person claiming mobility issues following a vehicle collision, and needing help with tasks including getting dressed, bathing, cleaning and shopping. The claimant said limited mobility made it impossible to return to work at present with the possibility of never being able to return to their prior workplace, the release says.

The investigation unit reviewed surveillance footage showing the claimant shopping for hours on multiple occasions while carrying several bags in each hand and power walking in a mall. There was no evidence the claimant had difficulty walking, standing, moving their neck or using their right arm as they described in their claim, the release says.

As a result, MPI ended the claimant’s income replacement and personal care benefits, and they had to pay MPI almost $5,000 for receiving benefits fraudulently, the release says, saving MPI nearly $1.8 million in future benefits.

Child driver

The investigators looked into a claim involving a person who said they were driving 50 km/h when they swerved to avoid hitting either a rabbit or a coyote and then struck a curb, flipping their vehicle, the release says.

An investigation determined the vehicle had been driving more than 100 km/h, followed by a hard brake and swerve at the time the collision happened. When the investigators shared their findings with the claimant, the individual admitted being at home sleeping at the time, and their child had taken the vehicle without permission.

The findings didn’t indicate whether an animal was involved in the collision, but the claim was denied, saving MPI $33,000, the release said.

Sniper fire

Another claim involved a person who did not have valid insurance on a vehicle parked in a vacant lot. The claimant said an unknown cyclist had said to move the vehicle, so they went to an MPI broker to get a five-day temporary policy so they could move it, the release said.

Returning to the vehicle to collect belongings, the claimant said a window had been shattered by a possible gunshot and, believing it was the work of a sniper, fled the scene in fear.

A few minutes later, police and the fire department were called to the scene because the vehicle was on fire. They did not find any evidence or witnesses to confirm gunshots, the release said.

The investigators learned the temporary policy had been purchased 45 minutes before the vehicle was set ablaze. A security camera at a nearby business showed the claimant next to the vehicle six minutes before the fire started.

Further investigation determined the vehicle was inoperable because many of its parts had been removed or disconnected, resulting in the claim being denied and saving MPI nearly $9,000.

MPI says anyone with information detailing auto insurance fraud is encouraged to call the its tips line at 204-985-8477 in Winnipeg, toll-free for those outside the city at 1-877-985-8477 or submit information online at mpi.mb.ca.

Information can also be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at manitobacrimestoppers.com. All calls and reports are anonymous.