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Police bust an alleged GTA auto insurance fraud network
Project Cyclone – a sting operation that involved wire‐tapping – lasted several months.
Staff on November 29, 2016
Aviva Canada today applauds York Regional Police for concluding an extensive investigation, which resulted in criminal charges against members of an alleged crime ring that allegedly committed insurance fraud, as well as theft and drug‐related offences.
Earlier this year, York Regional Police became aware that an alleged crime network operating throughout the Greater Toronto Area had recently shifted its operations into York Region. Project Cyclone – a sting operation that involved wire‐tapping – lasted several months. The investigation concluded with the round‐up of the network earlier this week, and resulted in 137 criminal charges against 23 individuals.
Aviva Canada learned of Project Cyclone when it was advised by York Regional Police that a customer, Balwinder Dhaliwal (60 years old), allegedly conspired to commit a staged accident for the purpose of defrauding the company. On November 10, 2016, it is alleged that Mr. Dhaliwal and an associate staged a collision. Mr. Dhaliwal’s vehicle was reportedly damaged and towed to Cosmo Performance, an automotive repair business on Hanlan Road in Vaughan, Ontario. The following day, Mr. Dhaliwal reported the accident to Aviva Canada and filed a claim seeking over $30,000 at which point Aviva Canada commenced its own investigation. Mr. Dhaliwal was arrested and charged on November 22, 2016 with Fraud Over $5,000, Conspiracy to Commit Fraud and Public Mischief.
The accused will appear in Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket, Ontario later today.
“Fraud networks are symptoms of smaller fraud opportunities that go unchecked over time. These issues have prevailed in the automobile collision repair industry for a long time,” states Gordon Rasbach, Vice President, Legal and Fraud Management for Aviva Canada. “This long‐standing problem puts a cost burden on all honest insurance consumers and is not fair. Aviva Canada commends York Regional Police for its exemplary and thorough
investigation.”
Building on already strong capabilities, Aviva Canada has stepped up its tough approach to tackling fraud with
more dedicated resources and an investment in technology that aims to identify fraud and even anticipate the potential for fraud before it happens. With an industry‐leading anti‐fraud team in place, plus solid public sector and industry collaboration, Aviva is well positioned to combat fraud. The impact of insurance fraud in Canada is estimated at over $1.6 billion annually, and increases premiums for all customers
Police bust an alleged GTA auto insurance fraud network
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