While the COVID pandemic disrupted much of normal goings-on in our province, fraudsters didn’t miss a beat in their efforts to defraud Manitoba Public Insurance and its customers. This year’s Top 5 Fraud list highlights bogus claims, the effective use of forensic tools and astute MPI staff. “MPI releases its annual top five fraud list to raise awareness about the costs related to auto insurance fraud ─ about $50 per customer yearly,” said MPI’s Chief Operating Officer, Curtis Wennberg. “The list is compiled based on the unique circumstances of each fraud, financial savings to MPI ratepayer, and investigative excellence in unearthing the fraudsters.” Anyone with information about auto insurance fraud is encouraged to call the Manitoba Public Insurance TIPS Line: 204-985-8477 or toll-free 1-877-985-8477. All calls are anonymous. Suspicious claims are handled by MPI’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU). As of the end of this November, claims savings are more than $13 million with the SIU closing nearly 1,000 investigations. No. 1: “Burning Up Debt” The insured made a claim with MPI, reporting that his new travel trailer had been stolen out of a storage yard located within a community in rural Manitoba. That same morning, the travel trailer was found 10-kilometres outside of town ─ burned to the ground and still smoldering on a gravel road. MPI’s SIU investigator immediately went to the burn site where he took photos and began determining the likely route taken by the thief. While travelling back to his office, the investigator noticed a building which had a surveillance camera pointing towards the highway. The surveillance footage showed the trailer being towed around midnight by a pickup truck, which closely resembled the same year and model of the trailer’s owner. The investigation also revealed the trailer’s owner was experiencing financial issues. During the interview with the SIU investigator, the insured denied having any involvement with the theft. However, he was not willing to allow MPI access to his truck so the investigator could download data from it which would help to determine where the vehicle was on the night of the theft. A few days after that interview the insured contacted MPI and withdrew his claim, signing a waiver of release. Estimated claims savings to MPI was $37,000. No. 2: “Creative Accounting” After being injured in a crash, the woman eventually returned to her job on a part-time basis ─ unable to work fulltime due to lifting and other physical demands. However, she was entitled to receive MPI’s Income Replacement Indemnity (IRI) entitlement which was calculated specifically from submitted income tax documentation. As time passed, an MPI IRI calculator noticed an irregularity in a letter and email allegedly coming from an accounting firm, which the woman had submitted. After a conversation with the accounting firm it was confirmed both the email and letter were fabricated and false. Investigators then did an extensive review and discovered numerous anomalies relating to the woman’s income tax information. It was noted that many of the documents appeared to have been deliberately edited and included entries that were misaligned, entries in varying sized fonts, incomplete and incorrect field entries, wrong totals, and in two different years she reported the exact same income to the cent. With all this information, the woman’s benefits were terminated resulting in an estimated savings to MPI and its customers of nearly $800,000: a figure based on future payouts. MPI is also seeking to recover $100,000. No. 3: “Wascally Wabbit!” The driver claimed a rabbit suddenly popped out of the bushes and ran in front of his vehicle. Startled, the driver said he applied the brakes and while attempting to avoid the little animal crashed head-on into a light standard. The vehicle sustained extensive front-end damage. However, the driver’s story had a number of irregularities which caught the attention of a seasoned SIU investigator. The investigation revealed the man, 20, was experiencing significant financial issues, exasperated by a large vehicle payment. A download from the vehicle’s Crash Data Recorder showed the vehicle was accelerating at the time of the crash, contradicting the man’s story that he was braking before he hit the pole. With all the evidence in hand, the claim was denied. Claims savings to MPI and its customers was $31,000. No. 4: “Mr. Volunteer” The man claimed he was physically unable to do his demanding, physical labour job after getting into a collision. He soon began receiving Income Replacement payments from MPI. However, as the months moved on, an MPI case manager began to have suspicions about their claimant. The file was then forwarded to MPI’s SIU. The investigation revealed Mr. Volunteer, 33, regularly worked at a Winnipeg retail outlet ─ including assisting customers. Unbeknownst to Mr. Volunteer, he actually served an MPI investigator and several others who were doing surveillance. When confronted with all this information, Mr. Volunteer denied he was working, but explained he was “volunteering” his services. The man’s benefits were terminated resulting in an estimated savings to MPI and its customers of nearly $300,000. No. 5: “Never Know Who’s Watching” After being involved in a crash, the Winnipeg man claimed he was too traumatized to drive and even had trouble being a passenger. Combined with a number of physical injuries, the man could not resume his job as a real estate agent and began receiving Income Replacement benefits. As time moved on, several irregularities began to surface for the MPI case manager, who then moved the file to MPI’s SIU. The subsequent investigation, which involved surveillance, revealed that the man had returned to his job as a real estate agent ─ regularly showing houses to clients, dealing with contractors on various renovation sites and driving to all parts of the city; showing no signs of distress. On one occasion, the case manager called the man, who whispered over the phone he couldn’t speak because he was at the doctor’s office. During this conversation, the man was in fact showing a house with clients, while also being observed by investigators. With all this evidence in hand, the claim was denied. Total claims savings to MPI was nearly $110,000.(MPI News Release)

An update to an earlier published story. The East End Community Centre rink, under the iconic Brandon water tower, is now open for public skating. There are areas for pleasure skating and designated areas for hockey sticks and pucks.  East End Community Centre rink, Green Acres Community Centre is also now open for the season. Lights come on at dusk and the facility is open until 8:30pm daily. Covid-19 restrictions prevent the warm up areas, canteen and washrooms from opening at this time.  Green Acres Community Centre Skaters must wear masks, are not to gather in groups and are asked to maintain proper social distancing.  Dogs are not permitted on the ice or on Community Centre properties at any time.  Community Centre rinks are run by volunteers and to volunteer or learn more, contact the Community Centres. (edited) Green Acres Community Centre

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On December 26, 2020, police received a report of an assault which occurred in the 200 block of 8th street shortly after 4:00 pm. The male suspect was observed by witnesses punching, kicking and biting the victim. The male left the area but was later located and arrested shortly before 10:00 pm. The 34-year-old male was also found to be in breach of his release order. He was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on charges of Assault and Fail to Comply with Release order. The victim of the assault did not sustain any injuries that required medical attention

Source: Brandon Police Service Media ReleaseOn December 26, 2020, police received a report of a Break and Enter to a garage in the 700 block of 8th street. Suspects are believed to have entered the garage sometime on the evening of December 25. Stolen was some change from a vehicle within the garage, a Bluetooth charger, 2 stereo equalizers and a GPS unit. Anyone with information regarding this Break and Enter is encouraged to contact Brandon Police Service. On December 26, 2020, police received a report of a Break and Enter to a second garage. This one on Wedgewood Place. Suspects were believed to have entered the garage sometime overnight. Stolen was a black and white, Trek 850 mountain bike, which was discovered nearby. Anyone with information regarding this Break and Enter is encouraged to contact Brandon Police Service.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release A break and enter occurred in the 700 block of 33rd Street East on Wednesday morning.  A door to the building was forced and various tools and lunchroom appliances were stolen.  This incident is still under investigation.