Couple arrested in fraud probe (From Keighley News)

Couple arrested in fraud probe

3:09pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in News

A husband and wife from Keighley have been arrested on suspicion of making a bogus whiplash claim after reporting being involved in a car crash in Berkshire in April last year.

The Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), based at the City of London Police, questioned the couple, aged 27 and 26, after receiving a referral from their insurance company, which was unconvinced by the details of the claim.

Detectives were assisted by West Yorkshire Police on the early morning operation.

On the same day a second man, aged 27, was arrested at a local police station.

All three are suspected of committing fraud by false representation and were later released on bail.

The IFED was set up with funding from the insurance industry to combat an area of criminality valued at £3 billion per year, working out at £50 per policy holder.

Since its January launch, detectives have made a series of arrests, targeting organised and opportunistic fraudsters who are submitting bogus claims.

Head of IFED, DCI Dave Wood, said: “In a short space of time, IFED has sent out a clear message that insurance fraud in all its forms will not be tolerated, wherever it has been committed.

“There is still a public perception that making bogus claims to insurance companies about injuries, stolen property or ill health is somehow acceptable. IFED making arrests in Keighley is evidence of how committed we are to changing this culture.”