MUMBAI: The first fake death of Kanchan Rai in the insurance fraud in Bhayander was reported on Oct 11, 2021, with the cause stated as cardiac respiratory arrest. Kanchan’s son, Dhanraj (30), submitted the necessary documents, and the insurance company transferred Rs 20.4 lakh to his bank account after a third-party verification that included visiting the family.
Similarly, another insurance company settled another claim of Rs 25 lakh for the first ‘death’ to the nominee, Dhanraj.
On Oct 20, 2023, another death was recorded, this time in the name of Pavitra. Husband Rohit (48) was the nominee of Pavitra’s insurance policy; he claimed and received Rs 24.2 lakh.
However, on Jan 30 this year, the insurance company got suspicious after an audit threw up issues like same address but different name of the insured, same details of claimants and they approached another insurance firm and sought details of Kanchan’s death.
This finally led to the first complaint in the case this past week.
Two more claims of Rs 24 lakh and Rs 17 lakh for the second ‘death’, in which Rohit was the nominee again, were pending when the fraud came to light.
Investigations revealed that Kanchan had taken insurance policies from a total of five private companies using two separate Aadhaar and PAN cards. Dr Yadav had signed the death certificates issued by the Mira-Bhayander and Vasai-Virar municipalities in all cases. The claims were submitted with the fake documents and a copy of the garlanded photograph of Kanchan alias Pavitra.
The family has gone missing, possibly realising their fraudulent activities have been exposed, said Bhayander police, who suspect the involvement of more people, including those from insurance firms and municipalities.
A police complaint was filed against Kanchan and her three accomplices this past Wednesday by one of the insurance firms on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery.
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