£15,000 in cash seized during gadget insurance fraud bust

The Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (Ifed) has seized around £15,000 in cash after issuing a warrant due to suspected gadget insurance fraud.

Ifed officers executed the warrant as part of an investigation into a number of household claims made between late 2024 and early 2025 by the same individual.

Evidence suggests that claims were being fabricated and often involved alleged damage to laptops and other gadgets.

The suspect is believed to have created the policies, established the companies involved and submitted the claims himself.

This activity is believed to have been designed to exploit insurers by submitting claims soon after policies were taken out, with average values ranging between £3,000 and £5,000.

City of London police confirmed that the suspect linked to these claims has remained under investigation.

Nationwide crack down

This warrant was issued during a week long intensification carried out by Ifed officers and targeted individuals suspected of making false claims on insurance policies. 

Timed in the lead up to Black Friday, the operation focused on fraudsters who claimed their mobile phones, televisions and laptops had been damaged in order to secure payouts and fund newer models.

In turn, the intensive week of action led to 17 ’cease and desist’ notices issued across the country.

Simon Klust, detective inspector at Ifed, said: “This intensification demonstrates our commitment to tackling insurance fraud, particularly in the run‑up to Black Friday when fraudsters attempt to exploit gadget insurance policies.

“Fraudulent claims not only harm insurers, but also drive up costs for honest policyholders. By working closely with industry partners, we are disrupting criminal networks and protecting the public from financial harm.”