Rugby-Playing Insurance Fraudster Jailed For £900K Scam

An engineer, who tried to swindle his employer's insurers out over £900,000 for a work injury he claimed incapacitated him, has been jailed after investigators filmed him playing rugby.

David Ribchester, 32, of Cricklewood Road, Sunderland lied that he seriously injured both wrists when a ladder he was standing on gave way while at work.

However, undercover investigators not only filmed him playing rugby, but also assembling garden furniture, refueling his car, shaking hands and holding a child - activities he insisted he could no longer perform.

Ribchester was sentenced at the Old Bailey to eight months imprisonment after pleading guilty to fraud between February 2006 and January, last year in relation to a claim for personal injury compensation totalling £923,165.

He told insurers RSA that his injuries meant he was unable to work, shop, drive a manual car or play rugby.

He also reported he could not lift his young daughter with his right hand.

RSA sent the film to the City of London Police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) on the unit’s launch in January 2013.

IFED detectives arrested Ribchester at a house in April 2013.

Detective Sergeant Tom Finnegan, who led IFED’s investigation, said: “Ribchester exaggerated his injuries and the impact they had on him thinking that no one would bother to find out if he was really telling the truth.

“This was a serious mistake that turned him into a criminal and his actions have cost him a jail sentence.
 


“There is still a public perception that making exaggerated claims to insurance companies is somehow acceptable.

“IFED securing convictions is evidence of how committed we are to working with insurers to change this culture in England and Wales.”  

John Beadle, RSA Counter Fraud Manager, said: "RSA fully support IFED in its effort to bring real consequences to those who attempt to commit fraud against insurers and their customers. 

“People need to realise that insurance fraud is not a victimless crime as we all end up paying through our premiums. 

“They also need to wake up to the fact that insurers are no longer a 'soft touch' and work closely with IFED to ensure that those who commit fraud are detected and face the consequences of the law".