Kathmandu. A surprising incident has come out from Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh, India. Where people were resorting to the dead to earn money.
The Economic Offences Wing of India has busted a huge insurance scam involving a fraud of about Rs 8 crore (Rs 12.80 crore). People from insurance agents to panchayat level people are involved in this entire case.
According to the investigation report of the branch, the entire incident is linked to ICICI Prudential Life Insurance. In this scam, insurance policies were taken out in the name of deceased and seriously ill people and later claims were made using fake documents.
A total of 40 people, including 21 heirs, have been charged in the case so far. Revealing the case, Superintendent of Police (SP) Samar Verma of the Economic Offences Wing said that the scam came to light after the insurance company started receiving claims showing death shortly after the policy was purchased. This aroused suspicion and an investigation was initiated.
During the investigation, about 27 such cases of death were identified shortly after the purchase of the insurance policy. Out of these, eight cases were found where the policy was issued in the name of the people who had already died. When this incident came to light, the insurance company filed a complaint with the Economic Offences Wing. When the branch started investigating the whole matter, many shocking facts came to light.
The investigation revealed that the accused had already issued insurance policies in the name of people who had already died or were seriously ill. A fake death certificate was then prepared in their name and a claim was filed.
In some cases, it was revealed that policies were issued in the name of people who had already died and later attempts were made to claim them by showing them dead. Panchayat level officials were also found to be involved in this whole scheme. The investigation revealed that the village head, village secretary and assistant secretary had conspired to make fake death certificates. On the basis of these documents, claims were filed with the insurance company. Apart from this, false evidence was also made to prove that the claims were genuine.
The branch’s investigation also revealed that 10 insurance agents were involved in the scam. Some of these agents had issued multiple policies. This clearly indicates that it was an organised crime. “In which many people worked in collusion,” SP Verma said, “So far, two such incidents have been reported, in which the role of the village sarpanch, village secretary and assistant secretary has been clearly exposed. These persons had already prepared new death certificates in the names of the deceased persons and tried to make insurance claims using them as evidence. ’
A detailed investigation is underway in the case. The branch is conducting a forensic examination of the documents and interrogating the accused. “Further investigation may reveal more important revelations,” the officials said. ’
This incident also throws light on how some people are misusing the government system and insurance processes. This organized crime has revealed collusion at many levels. Which is a matter of serious concern.
At present, the branch has registered a case against all the accused and investigations are underway. Officials say that strict action will be taken against the culprits and necessary steps will be taken to prevent such incidents. This scam is not only an economic crime but also an insult to social sensitivity. Where people misused the names of the deceased people for money. All eyes are now on what further the investigation will reveal and how many people will come forward in this case. – Agency
