Dainik Nation News Portal
DAINIK NATION BUREAU/SABHAL (UP)
In a major breakthrough, the Sambhal police have busted a multi-state insurance scam worth an estimated ₹100 crore. The elaborate fraud involved targeting terminally ill individuals in rural areas and falsely opening insurance policies in their names, with the intent to claim hefty insurance payouts after their death.
According to police officials, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA workers) were manipulated into identifying seriously ill people in villages across Sambhal district. These individuals, often in their final days, were then approached by a fraud gang posing as social workers. The gang lured them and their families with promises of government aid, asking them to sign documents under false pretenses.
Victims documents were being used to open insurance policies worth lakhs of rupees. The fraudsters even paid the initial premiums to keep the policies active. Once the person passed away, the gang used forged documents to claim the insurance amount. The scam was facilitated with the help of complicit insurance agents, surveyors, and bank employees.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Sambhal led the investigation and successfully uncovered the well-organized racket, which extended from Gujarat to Assam. So far, 25 individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. Police say this is one of the largest insurance frauds ever reported in the region.
Authorities are now expanding the investigation to identify more victims and recover the siphoned funds. The scam has raised serious concerns about loopholes in the insurance claim process and the vulnerability of the rural poor.
The police have assured strict action against all those involved, including officials found guilty of collusion. The case highlights the urgent need for tighter regulations and better awareness to prevent exploitation of the underprivileged in the name of social welfare.
