The Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) continues to clamp down on fraudsters – with one woman now picking up an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, due to her actions.
Marilyn Lento of Salford, Manchester, was found to have exaggerated about the extent of her injuries after a road traffic accident – filing an insurance claim worth £12,500. Surveillance footage later revealed that she had been performing day-to-day tasks despite claiming to be “virtually housebound.”
As a result of the exaggeration, she was ordered to pay back £1,030 to the insurer by Liverpool Crown Court this week.
“Despite having several opportunities to come clean and clarify the true extent of her injuries, Lento persisted with her lies to try and steal thousands of pounds from her insurer,” said Detective Sergeant Matt Hussey, from the City of London Police’s IFED.
“Thanks to the surveillance footage, and good work from the insurance company, Lento’s deceit was exposed and she has been brought to justice for her fraudulent actions.”
The claim was originally filed in October 2017 with Lento claiming she’d been hit by a car as a pedestrian and had severe problems with her legs leaving her unable to walk any distance without disability equipment. She also completed a Permanent Disability Questionnaire and described her life as being ruined.
However, inconsistences were later discovered with GP and physiotherapy reports, and, on the day surveillance was conducted, Lento was seen walking her dog, shopping at a supermarket and driving.
