A claims handler who made fraudulent claims and abused his position to steal more than £10,000 has been sentenced to 12 months in prison.
Jack Burton was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court for making nine fraudulent claims against several insurers, including Aviva, RSA, Allianz and Direct Line Group. He also pleaded guilty to abusing his position as an insurance claims handler at AXA, stealing £7,779.
Burton made a string of fraudulent claims, first noticed by Aviva and then investigated by the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), against policies he had incepted with Direct Line Group, RSA and AXA.
The IFED’s investigation the discovered Burton had worked as an insurance claims call handler at AXA, where he added car hire services to 10 genuine motor insurance claims and diverted payments into his own bank account.
City of London Police detective sergeant Matt Hussey, who led the IFED’s investigation, said: “Burton had a good knowledge of the insurance industry and he used this knowledge, as well as his position, to steal money from his employer and other insurers.”
“The insurers involved in this case provided valuable support during our investigation, and with their help Burton has been brought to justice for his deceitful and fraudulent actions.”
Tom Gardiner, Head of Fraud, Aviva, said of Burton’s fraudulent claims: “We are very pleased that Aviva detected Burton’s fraudulent activity in the first place, and went on to avoid all his claims and work closely with IFED and other insurers to end Burton’s fraud and abuse of his position of trust.”
“This case shows that no one is out of reach, and insurers have very effective mechanisms for working together to stamp out and prosecute insurance fraud, and ensure there are consequences to fraudsters. Burton is now out of work and a lot worse off, not better off, as a result of his fraud.”
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