Here are 5 strange insurance fraud schemes attempted in Sask.
Here are 5 strange insurance fraud schemes attempted in Sask.
From rolling back an odometer 150,000 kilometres to intentionally causing a collision, Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) is highlighting its top five insurance fraud cases of 2022.
SGI’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) busted hundreds of fraudulent claims in 2022 resulting in $5.8 million in savings, the agency said in a news release.
'HEIST HOAX'
SGI said a customer reported their vehicle missing and claimed it had been parked in front of their house with a spare key locked inside.
One hour after the vehicle was reported missing, police found it a short walk from the person’s house on the front lawn of someone else’s property after it had collided into a nearby parked vehicle and tree.
The vehicle’s owner filed a theft and collision claim while another person filed a claim for the parked vehicle and property damage.
SGI said security camera footage showed the vehicle in question travelled at a high rate of speed, lost control and collided with a parked vehicle and then a tree.
The driver then walked away from the vehicle, locking it with a key fob.
The person confessed to the collision and said they should not have been driving at the time.
They owed $50,000 in vehicle and property damage.
'ROLLBACK RIP-OFF'
Someone submitted a claim that said they drove their truck through a dip with standing water, which caused the engine to quit. It was discovered that the truck actually needed a costly engine repair or replacement.
SIU also discovered the vehicle’s odometer had been rolled back 150,000 kilometres in order to increase the value of the truck.
The claim was withdrawn after the person was confronted by SIU which saved SGI $7,000.
'TURNOFF TALES'
SGI saved $40,000 after a fraudulent claim stated that a driver and his girlfriend were in a collision with an abandoned vehicle while driving in foggy conditions after missing a turnoff.
The drivers said they panicked and instead of calling police, they walked to a nearby home.
The homeowners reported to police that the couple said they did not want police to know about the collision.
“Police visited the collision site and saw several concerning items inside the vehicle, including drug paraphernalia. Additionally, there was no evidence of fog that morning and no nearby turnoff that the driver could have missed. SIU discovered the vehicle was travelling at double the reported speed, and additional witnesses claimed Connor and his girlfriend were both very intoxicated. SIU found [the claimant’s] account of the incident was unreliable and vague,” the release said.
'DEER DUPE'
A person filed a claim that stated they hit a deer and left their vehicle at the scene of the collision before coming back to find the vehicle completely burned.
SIU spoke with a witness who saw two people removing belongings from inside the vehicle before it went up in flames a short time later.
SIU discovered the vehicle was not registered at the time of the collision and registration was then purchased less than an hour after the crash.
SIU said it believes the driver also returned to set the vehicle on fire in order to receive a cash payout.
SGI denied the claim and saved $5,000.
'SLEEPING SCAM'
Someone filed a claim stating they had fallen asleep and collided with a parked vehicle. After admitting to dealing with significant financial hardship the person revealed they had recently spoken with a bailiff about the vehicle, a high value SUV, being repossessed.
SIU confirmed the person was experiencing financial troubles and then discovered the person caused the collision intentionally to avoid having the vehicle repossessed.
SGI said it saved $63,000 after denying the claim.
“When making insurance claims, the important thing to do is always be honest about the incident,” SGI said in a release.
Potential insurance fraud cases can be reported to SGI or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.
Canada's special rapporteur on foreign interference David Johnston is being questioned by MPs at committee about his role, his report into election meddling, his decision against a public inquiry, and allegations of a conflict of interest.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should see to it that mass murderers serve their entire sentences in maximum-security prison.
The number of interactions between killer whales and humans has increased alarmingly in recent years. CTVNews.ca asked an expert to explain the reasons behind the increase in interactions, explore the types of encounters, and examine the implications for both humans and killer whales.
The PGA Tour ended its expensive fight with Saudi Arabia's golf venture and now is joining forces with it, making a stunning announcement Tuesday of a merger that creates a commercial operation with the Public Investment Fund and the European tour.
An internal document suggests Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants China kept out of a Pacific Rim trade bloc, despite the Liberals publicly insisting it would welcome anyone who meets the trade deal's standards.
The federal government has given an updated deal to a public-service union that signed its collective agreement in the fall in order to match deals reached with the Public Service Alliance of Canada during a strike this spring.
Prince Harry entered a courtroom witness box Tuesday, swearing to tell the truth in testimony against a tabloid publisher he accuses of phone hacking and other unlawful snooping.
Canada's emergency preparedness minister says images of wildfires burning across the country are some of the most severe ever witnessed in Canada and the current forecast for the next few months indicates the potential for continued higher-than-normal fire activity.
Many Canadian parents are stretching themselves thin — even going as far as to postpone their retirement in some cases — in order to help pay for their children’s education, according to a new survey.
While Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) publicly mulled moving its downtown emergency shelter to a location on 20th Street near the city's core, city documents reveal the wellness centre's present Fairhaven area location was heavily favoured early in the process.
Canada's emergency preparedness minister says images of wildfires burning across the country are some of the most severe ever witnessed in Canada and the current forecast for the next few months indicates the potential for continued higher-than-normal fire activity.
A Ukrainian woman who now lives in Winnipeg is hoping one day she will be able to bring her husband's remains to her new home, a place he hoped one day he too would be able to call home.
Calgary-based Cenovus Energy says it has safely restarted a portion of its production that was shut down because of the threat of wildfires in northern and central Alberta.
Police in Australia are investigating the suspicious death of a woman who used to live in Surrey, BC, after her body was found in her apartment on the outskirts of Sydney.
Mounties in the town of McLennan, Alta. are hoping members of the public can help them identify two men who tried to steal a bank machine from the local ATB Financial.
Mounties in Peace River Alta. are asking residents to check their "businesses, homes, sheds and outbuildings" for any sign of 13-year-old Rocky Conrad Cardinal.
A grieving widow whose husband was run over and killed by a speeding OPP officer can't believe the force told her it won't hold a public hearing into the case because it decided the misconduct was 'not serious.'
A special air quality statement remains in effect for the National Capital Region because of wildfire smoke blowing across the region. Environment Canada's air quality health index is at its highest level of risk.
The wildfire burning at Centennial Lake, about 150 km west of Ottawa is still not under control, but the local mayor says it has been significantly reduced.
The federal government has given an updated deal to a public-service union that signed its collective agreement in the fall in order to match deals reached with the Public Service Alliance of Canada during a strike this spring.
The provincial wildfire service is warning British Columbians to have a go-bag and make an evacuation plan with this year's wildfire season off to an alarming start.
Many Canadian parents are stretching themselves thin — even going as far as to postpone their retirement in some cases — in order to help pay for their children’s education, according to a new survey.
Real estate experts say B.C.’s housing market is heating back after cooling off due to rising interest rates but the future is uncertain as several economists expect the Bank of Canada to hike rates again.
A 53-year-old man was shot and killed in the Montreal suburb of Dorval on Monday afternoon. A source told CTV News that the victim is Francesco Del Balso, who has links to Montreal's Mafia.
One Quebec city that had been threatened by approaching wildfires has lifted an evacuation order, but other parts of the province continue to deal with out-of-control blazes that are taxing firefighting resources.
The province is revealing its housing cards, as 37 more municipalities have been identified as the next group that will be required to create housing targets in their communities to help combat the ongoing housing shortfall.
A wildfire that has been burning out of control on Vancouver Island since Sunday morning is now estimated to cover approximately 20 hectares of dense forest near Port Alberni.
Hammonds Plains Road reopened to traffic early Tuesday morning more than week after wildfires began in the Halifax area. Officials say the fires in the area are contained, though crews continue to deal with hot spots and flare ups.
Canada's emergency preparedness minister says images of wildfires burning across the country are some of the most severe ever witnessed in Canada and the current forecast for the next few months indicates the potential for continued higher-than-normal fire activity.
While firefighters get more forest fires under control in northern Ontario, travel restrictions declared under an emergency order are being expanded in several communities.
A 13-year-old male from Elliot Lake in northern Ontario has been charged with sexual assault again, bringing the total to 10, after another survivor came forward.
A grieving widow whose husband was run over and killed by a speeding OPP officer can't believe the force told her it won't hold a public hearing into the case because it decided the misconduct was 'not serious.'
