MPI reveals year’s ‘top five’ foiled frauds from nearly $17M in thwarted scams

Debilitating injuries, sudden explosions and a Porsche that came out of nowhere were some of the tall tales told in an effort to scam Manitoba Public Insurance in 2025.

The public insurer says it investigated more than 2,600 suspected frauds this year, which led to savings of nearly $17 million, including $2 million from the top frauds.

“While many of you will shake your heads or even chuckle at the audacity of some of these cases we are highlighting, MPI is sharing these fraud attempts to emphasize that insurance fraud has a cost, and that cost is borne by all of us in Manitoba,” John Bowering, MPI’s vice-president and chief claims officer, said in a news release Monday.

The bodybuilder

After a two-vehicle collision, a claimant reported injuries so severe that work, personal care and child care was no longer possible; there was extreme pain from the injuries with any activity, including sitting down.

Investigators discovered the individual was spending a lot of time at a gym lifting heavy weights while bending and squatting, making household chores seem mild in comparison.

The claimant’s income replacement and personal-care benefits worth $300,000 were terminated.

The injured arsonist

A claimant received benefits after being burned when a truck suddenly exploded and was engulfed in flames.

The individual reported the injuries occurred while fighting the blaze for 10 minutes with a fire extinguisher.

Investigators found video evidence of the claimant staging and setting the fire. Although the blast appeared to have been unplanned and is what led to the injuries, there was no evidence of any attempt to extinguish the fire.

The $1-million claim was denied.

Dubai-bound

A claimant reported a stolen vehicle from a parking lot and, after reaching a settlement, received payment. Not long after, MPI was contacted by another agency with information that the car had been intercepted in Ontario, inside a shipping container destined for Dubai, along with 14 other vehicles.

Investigators discovered the vehicle was reported stolen after it had already been in Ontario for several days. There were no signs of forced entry or ignition tampering.

MPI said it’s in the process of reclaiming the $51,657 of fraudulently obtained benefits.

A Porsche hunt

Investigators looked into a two-vehicle collision in which the claimants’ accounts and evidence of the crash didn’t add up.

It was determined that the driver of the first vehicle passed by the home of the Porsche owner, who was backing out of the driveway. The other vehicle accelerated and hit the Porsche, the driver of which tried to manoeuvre out of the way.

The first driver reported trying to avoid the collision, but there was no room due to parked vehicles.

It was reported to MPI that the registered owner of the first vehicle was driving and had two other people in the vehicle, but investigators later found out that the registered owner was not in the vehicle — an individual with a learner’s permit was driving the Porsche illegally. Further investigation revealed the two drivers knew each other.

MPI determined false statements were provided by both drivers and an intentional act caused the collision. The $154,000 claim was denied.

Covert cases of beer

After a minor collision with minimal injuries and damages, a claimant reported a deteriorating ability to work. Part of the person’s job was to transport bulk supplies. The claimant said lifting five pounds was the limit after the crash.

Investigators following the individual watched them shopping at several beer vendors and loading up to 20 cases of beer into the trunk of their vehicle without assistance.

The claimant’s benefits were terminated and they were ordered to pay back $19,000 they already claimed. The remainder of the would-be claim was worth more than $480,000.

Anyone with information about auto insurance fraud is encouraged to call the MPI TIPS Line at 204-985-8477 in Winnipeg, toll-free 1-877-985-8477 outside of Winnipeg or submit information online at mpi.mb.ca.

Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or report online at manitobacrimestoppers.com. All calls and reports are anonymous.

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca