2 backpackers sentenced for Insurance Fraud in Brazil

[TonyHetherington]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southame...

So, they were mugged and lied about what they had stolen to get more money back from the insurance company.

My anedotal experience says this is rife, not just on holiday but in all forms; I've been asked by friends of friends for copys of receipts for my ipod, computer etc (and said a rather brisk "no!") for similar reasons.

Is the punishment too harsh, are they being made an example of, or are they just the unlucky ones that this happens day in day out, but they were caught?

[anonymous-user]

I'm guessing their futures as lawyers are a little damaged by this!

[tegwin]

Hmm.... fool on them for getting caught... not too bright are they!

[bonsai]

garyhun said:

I'm guessing their futures as lawyers are a little damaged by this!

I quite agree. Being able to lie convincingly is clearly a skill they lack.

[hondafanatic]

I’m thinking along the lines of that if you play with fire, you’ll get your fingers burnt. I don’t approve of ripping of insurance companies, and doing such a thing in a foreign country is just plain daft.

One question; how the hell did they get caught?

[Fidgits]

to be honest, i think its fair they ended up in jail..

you hear about loads of people overclaiming (including when nothings been lost/broken/stolen) simply because "thats what i pay insurance for, i should get something back"..

i think there is far too much insurance fraud going on..

Edited by Fidgits on Thursday 20th August 15:06

[Dr_Gonzo]

hondafanatic said:

I’m thinking along the lines of that if you play with fire, you’ll get your fingers burnt. I don’t approve of ripping of insurance companies, and doing such a thing in a foreign country is just plain daft.

One question; how the hell did they get caught?

The police found the items that they claimed had been stolen in their hotel room.

[hondafanatic]

Answered my own question -

"The two were arrested on July 26 after reporting to police that a laptop and other possessions had been stolen on a bus journey through Brazil. Officers from a specialist tourist unit became suspicious because the pair had waited several days before reporting the alleged theft to police. Police reportedly found the items in the pair’s hostel room."

Really fking stupid

[theaxe]

Another example of British people, used to very light punishments at home getting a shock when they commit crimes abroad.

[mechsympathy]

What utter fkwits, that is astoundingly daft.

[collateral]

Pretty stupid to try it on, but you'd think the police (in Brazil of all places!) would have more to worry about

[Kermit power]

I think it's a shame they weren't given the original jail sentence. Scum like that make my insurance premiums go up each year by more than they should.

[Jasandjules]

Dumb kids.

Still, at least they got caught.

[Nolar Dog]

Cocks!

That's all.

[sjn2004]

collateral said:

Pretty stupid to try it on, but you'd think the police (in Brazil of all places!) would have more to worry about

There are many different Police forces in Brazil, the girls made a mistake by going to the Tourist Police who are part of the Policia Federal who pride themselves in not being corrupt. If they had gone to the regular Policia Militar even if they had been caught a small bribe would have done the trick.

Their other error was to say they were robbed on an interstate bus. Since hijackings many years ago (some passengers would pull guns in the middle of the night) all passengers have to show/prove ID when buying the ticket/boarding. Therefore there would have been a record of who was on that bus and one of those "must" have robbed them causing big problems for an innocent person. If this pair of idiots had a brain they should have just said they were robbed by a group of street kids in the middle of the night while walking down Av Atlantica or whatever.

[thehawk]

A prime example of the declining education standards in the UK - these girls were to become lawyers! (also shows the morals of some that intend to enter that profession)

A similar thing happened in Thailand recently with some backpacker.

Insurance fraud is rampant and I'm sure most of us know someone who has done it, or heard of it. Nice to see people getting caught out.

Edited by thehawk on Friday 21st August 00:42

[cazzer]

On a slight tangent...
I was burgled a few years ago and lost a few bits of kit, digital camera and the like.
This was back when digital camera's were new and wrote to built in floppy drives.

I made the claim, wholly accurate.
The insurance company used an "approved" company to replace electronic items.
They replaced all my base or slightly better models with top of the range equipment.
My £150 camera was replaced with a £900 quid one.
I queried this with the insurance company and they told me they just went with what the "approved" supplier supplied.

Nice scam for that company methinks.

[fadeaway]

sjn2004 said:

Their other error was to say they were robbed on an interstate bus. Since hijackings many years ago (some passengers would pull guns in the middle of the night) all passengers have to show/prove ID when buying the ticket/boarding. Therefore there would have been a record of who was on that bus and one of those "must" have robbed them causing big problems for an innocent person. If this pair of idiots had a brain they should have just said they were robbed by a group of street kids in the middle of the night while walking down Av Atlantica or whatever.

Erm, but they were robbed. They didn't lie about the robbery itself, they exaggerated what was stolen.

[jesusbuiltmycar]

Kermit power said:

I think it's a shame they weren't given the original jail sentence. Scum like that make my insurance premiums go up each year by more than they should.

No doubt that with the cult of celebrity they will sell their stories via Max Clifford when they get home...

[Mr Whippy]

What spanners.

If that is how thick they are when they are studying law, then I think they have done everyone a favour because hopefully they won't qualify to actually represent anyone in legal matters.

Dave