Pune cops probe fake insurance racket; at least 3 cheated

PUNE: The city cyber police have launched an investigation into a racket in which fraudsters claiming to represent a prominent private insurance company sold fake vehicle, fire, and health schemes to the unsuspecting.
The company in question has lodged a complaint with the police. The fraud come to light mid-July when the victims of the scam filed claim applications after loss or damage to property. On verification, the company’s officials realised that the policy documents were fake and submitted a complaint application with the cyber police on July 15. Following verification of the plea, the company’s vigilance officer, Vishal Katkar, lodged a formal complaint on Wednesday.

Inspector Ankush Chintan of the cyber police said, “Preliminary investigations have revealed that the fraudsters have cheated three persons to the tune of ranging Rs 5,000-10,000 by ‘selling’ vehicle insurance policies.”
A preliminary investigation has led police to believe this was a nationwide racket in which the suspects, using multiple phone numbers, would call up people and, posing as representatives of the insurance company, sell them policies. The police have unearthed at six mobile phone numbers and as many accounts with different banks in which the unsuspecting buyers would transfer the “premium”
“An analysis of the call data records suggests that the suspects targeted people pan-India. We also traced some of the bank accounts where the victims were asked to transfer money.”
When the TOI contacted the company officials in Pune and Mumbai on Thursday, they said, “We have registered a complaint and the matter is being investigated by the police. We have handed over all the evidence to them. We cannot make any further comment”.
Chintan added, “The suspects would call people at random and urge them to buy vehicle, property, fire or health insurance products. They would then ask the buyers to transfer money to specific accounts via netbanking. After receiving the money, the suspects would issue fake and fabricated documents using the logo and details of the insurance company.”
The police have invoked charges related to cheating and forgery, besides the Information Technology Act.