With over 2,600 cases of physical damage and bodily injury claims suspected of fraud at Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) in 2025, narrowing the list to only five is challenging. A body builder, an injured arsonist, a vehicle headed for Dubai, a Porsche hunt, and covert cases of beer stand out amongst the rest of the incidents that MPI’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) investigated, saving Manitoba ratepayers almost $17 million dollars in attempted auto insurance fraud this year.
“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,” said John Bowering, MPI’s Vice President & Chief Claims Officer. “Our SIU team is committed to seeking out instances of fraud, and they have a breadth of expertise when it comes to investigations. Their hard work saves Manitobans money and maintains the integrity of our public insurance system.”
Every Manitoban can do their part. 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. Information can also be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at manitobacrimestoppers.com. All calls and reports are kept anonymous.
Fraud 1: Body Builder
After a minor two-vehicle collision, a claimant reported injuries so significant that they were unable to go to work, perform their own personal care, or take care of cooking and housekeeping duties for themselves and their children. It was reported that the injuries caused very high pain levels with any activity, including just sitting down. Based on the extent of injury, the claimant was entitled to Income Replacement Benefits and Personal Care Assistance payments under the Personal Injury Protection Program.
Due to the severity of the injuries reported in relation to the seriousness of the collision, SIU launched an investigation. The investigators found the claimant spent much of their time at the gym, lifting heavy weights while bending and squatting, making household chores seem mild in comparison.
Based on the investigation, MPI terminated all income replacement and personal care benefits.
The savings to ratepayers was more than $300,000.
Fraud 2: Injured Arsonist
A claimant was treated at the hospital for significant burn injuries after a sudden and violent explosion that engulfed their commercial truck in flames in a hotel parking lot. The claimant reported to police and to medical professionals that they had fought the fire with a fire extinguisher for 10 minutes, trying to save the vehicle, sustaining burns in the process.
SIU began to investigate and found video evidence of the claimant methodically staging and executing the arson. However, the explosion appeared unplanned and is what caused the claimant’s injuries. At no time was there any evidence of attempts to extinguish the fire.
The claim was denied, saving ratepayers approximately $1 million in vehicle and injury claims.
Fraud 3: Dubai Bound
A claimant reported they returned to a parking lot to find their vehicle had been stolen. A settlement was reached and the claimant was paid. After the payment, MPI was notified by a separate investigating agency that the vehicle had been intercepted in a shipping container in Ontario heading to Dubai, along with 14 other vehicles.
The overseas trip was cancelled, and an SIU investigation was opened. Investigators discovered the vehicle was reported stolen after it had already been in Ontario for several days. The vehicle was examined, and there were no indications of forced entry or tampering with the ignition.
MPI is in the process of reclaiming the $51,657.54 that was paid out for this fraudulent claim.
Fraud 4: A Porsche Hunt
A two-vehicle collision occurred and both parties made a claim. One of the vehicles was a Porsche. The accounts given by each party did not match up, nor did the evidence from the scene of the collision. SIU began an investigation.
It was determined that the driver of the first vehicle passed by the home of the Porsche’s owner and circled back when the Porsche began to reverse out of the driveway. The vehicle accelerated toward the Porsche, striking it, while the Porsche attempted to take evasive action. The driver of the first vehicle said they tried to avoid the collision, but there was no room due to parked vehicles.
After the collision, the driver of the Porsche exited the vehicle and ran into the residence, then came back a short while later with additional people. It was reported to MPI that the fully licensed registered owner of the vehicle was driving and had two other people in the vehicle with them. Investigators found that the registered owner was not in the vehicle and the individual with the Learner’s licence was the only occupant of the Porsche and was driving illegally. It was further found that the parties in both vehicles were known to each other.
False statements were provided by both vehicle drivers. An intentional act caused the collision.
The claim was denied, saving ratepayers approximately $154,000.
Fraud 5: Covert Cases of Beer
After a minor collision with minimal reported injuries and damage, a claimant initially reported being able to perform certain aspects of their employment, but as the claim continued, they reported being unable to complete more and more parts of their job due to significant pain.
The claimant’s business required them to purchase and transport bulk supplies, and they reported they were unable to complete their tasks as their lifting capacity was zero to five pounds maximum, with a very low tolerance for most activities. Based on the extent of injury and the nature of the claimant’s work, they were entitled to Income Replacement Benefits.
Surveillance was initiated by SIU. The claimant was routinely seen out of their home running errands and doing work for their business for approximately 7-10 hours every day. The claimant was observed shopping at several beer vendors and loading up to 18-20 cases of beer into the trunk of their vehicle without assistance. The claimant continued to be seen lifting heavy items and carrying equipment without any evidence of pain or difficulty.
Based on the investigation, benefits were terminated. The savings to ratepayers as a result of this investigation was more than $480,000. Efforts are being made to reclaim $19,000 in benefits already paid to the claimant.
Altogether, the investigation and discovery of these five fraudulent claims by MPI’s SIU team saved Manitoba ratepayers $2 million out of the total $17 million saved in 2025.
