Operation Coatee - Targeting Insurance Related Criminality
On today’s date, Wednesday 24th April 2019 the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) engaged in an operation, arising from an investigation relating to over twenty (20) insurance claims which have been made and which, in some cases, have already involved payment being made to claimants.
Investigations carried out, to date, by GNECB, indicate that a number of targets in this operation have submitted multiple claims, in many circumstances while using false identities. The suspected bogus claims involved in this case, result from false claims of injury sustained through slips and falls.
Personnel attached to GNECB supported by additional personnel attached to Lucan Garda Station, CAB and the Armed Support Units (ASUs), undertook a number of searches in the West Dublin area, for the purpose of gathering additional evidence, with a view to submitting files to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), in an effort to prosecute those suspected of insurance related criminality. Additionally, search warrants were executed at a number of Solicitor’s offices. Arising from these searches, 6 high value cars and jewellery with a value in excess of €300,000 was seized along with a substantial amount of documentation and financial records.
Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll, Special Crime Operations (SCO) stated today, "The Garda Síochána is determined to identify all those persons who are involved in the making of bogus insurance claims and to maximise its potential to initiate prosecution, through engaging in coordinated operation activity, such as that undertaken today”.
The assistant commissioner further stated, "Where financial gain has already been achieved by those involved in this form of criminality the Garda Síochána will utilise available legislation to identify relevant assets and target them for seizure”.
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Note:
The Garda Síochána is undertaking an operation for the purpose of enhancing its capacity to tackle an increasing range of criminal activity associated with insurance fraud.
Special Crime Operations (SCO) will take a lead role, in this Operation, through utilising the resources of a number of bureaus within the Garda Síochána, which have a national remit, including the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB), in particular, but also the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau and the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigations (GNBCI). The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) will also be requested to utilise legislative provisions and powers available to it, for the purpose of tackling the criminality involved.
Insurance related investigations are being undertaken at a national level, through the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) and at a local level within Garda Síochána districts, throughout the country, many of which are brought to a successful conclusion, by way of prosecution followed by conviction.
