An insurance fraudster in the UK who made four false claims to
Zurich has found himself on the receiving end of more than a fraud charge when officers investigating the case found more than $26,000 worth of cannabis in his shed.
Kevin Turner, from Essex, had made four identical claims to Zurich for tools stolen from his car using identical pictures and paperwork and received nearly $10,000 for each of his first three efforts.
The fourth claim aroused suspicions and Zurich referred the matter to the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) who took action against Turner.
In a search of Turner’s home, the IFED found documentation linked to the bogus insurance claims, including a host of forged receipts, and stumbled upon 53 mature cannabis plants in an outbuilding on the property.
Detective Constable Mark Reynolds, who ran the investigation, told
The East Anglia Daily Times: “Turner’s lavish lifestyle turned him into a drug producer and persistent insurance fraudster, which has seen him jailed as a convicted criminal.
“The reality now for fraudsters is that IFED and insurers are working together to bring to justice those who think they can make easy money at someone else’s expense.”
Turner has been imprisoned for 20 months.
Scott Clayton, claims fraud and investigations manager, added: “This case demonstrates the criminal nature of insurance fraudsters, who are often involved in other crimes.
“Suspicious of the various claims made by Turner, we decided to investigate the matter and, as a result, discovered the cannabis plants he was growing on his property.
“We hope this case sends out a strong message that fraudulent claims will be investigated by insurers and we will always prosecute those involved.”
All currencies used in this article were converted from GBP using www.xe.com on 29/01/2015.
