Abbotsford residents attempt to defraud ICBC — July 10

ICBC has a zero tolerance for fraud

Two Abbotsford residents, Gurjinder Gill and Jagjit Dhaliwal, were recently convicted, under Section 42.1 of under the Insurance (Motor Vehicle) Act, with providing false information to ICBC. Both were fined $1,500 and Gill was also ordered to repay ICBC $2,520, the cost to repair his vehicle and investigate the claim.

"ICBC has a zero tolerance for fraud", said Steve Tripp, ICBC manager Fraud Prevention and Investigation. "It is not acceptable to ICBC to sit back and simply pass the cost of fraud onto our customers."

On October 16, 2006, Dhaliwal contacted ICBC to report his brother-in-law's vehicle had been involved in a hit and run. Dhaliwal claimed Gill's red 1996 Honda Civic was the victim of a hit and run collision while parked at a truck stop in Abbotsford, the previous evening.

Two days prior to Dhaliwal reporting Gill's alleged hit and run, ICBC received another hit and run claim. In this claim a Dodge van was parked in front of an Abbotsford house when the owner heard a loud crash. A witness to the crash observed a red Honda fleeing the scene.

The physical damage on Gill's vehicle matched the damage inflicted on the Dodge van. When confronted with the evidence, Gill and Dhaliwal confessed to providing false information and as a result the claim was denied.

ICBC estimates that fraud costs each of ICBC's 2.9 million policyholders in the range of $100 to $150 per year. The public is encouraged to help fight fraud by reporting suspicious, exaggerated or fraudulent claims. Information provided to ICBC's fraud tips line (604-661-6844 or 1-800-661-6844) is confidential and callers can remain anonymous. Last year, BC motorists saved more than $75 million thanks to ICBC anti-fraud programs.

Maple Ridge resident attempts to defraud ICBC — July 4

ICBC has a zero tolerance for fraud

Steve Nagra of Maple Ridge appeared in a Port Coquitlam Provincial Court on June 11, 2007, where he pleaded guilty to two charges: refusing to supply a breath sample, Section 254 of the Criminal Code of Canada and providing a false and misleading statement, Section 42.1 of the Insurance (Motor Vehicle) Act. Nagra was sentenced to a one year driving suspension, fined $2,000, and was ordered to repay ICBC $11,452.05, the cost to replace the vehicle.

"ICBC has a zero tolerance for fraud," said Steve Tripp, ICBC manager of Fraud Prevention Strategies. "ICBC invests in effective crash and insurance fraud prevention, because safer roads and less crime mean low and stable rates for our customers," said Tripp

On the evening of April 1st, 2005, Nagra was driving his father's 1999 Honda Civic when he was involved in a single vehicle collision. The Maple Ridge RCMP attended the crash and found the vehicle had struck a telephone pole, and the driver had fled the scene. Nagra, who was located a short distance from the vehicle, refused to provide a breath sample. Police claim Nagra was uncooperative, denying any knowledge of the crash.

While making his claim, Nagra told an ICBC adjuster that the keys to the Civic were stolen while he was at a Maple Ridge nightclub, and that he had gone home with a friend. A witness to the crash identified Nagra as the driver who fled the scene.

"ICBC seeks to identify potential fraud before the claim is paid, but also pursues fraudulent claims through civil lawsuits and criminal prosecutions. It is not acceptable to ICBC to simply pass on the cost of fraud to our customers," said Tripp

Last year, BC motorists saved more than $75 million to ICBC anti-fraud programs. The public is encouraged to help fight fraud by reporting suspicious, exaggerated or fraudulent claims. Information provided to ICBC's fraud tips line (604-661-6844 or 1-800-661-6844) is confidential and callers can remain anonymous.

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