Image via WikipediaKZN mortuary fraud bust - KwaZulu-Natal | IOL News | IOL.co.za: "A body-snatching syndicate has been buying unidentified or unclaimed bodies at state mortuaries in KwaZulu-Natal for insurance scams, the Department of Health has revealed.On Friday, a KwaDukuza policeman and two women were arrested after they allegedly “bought” an unidentified body from the Magwaza Maphalala (Gale) Street mortuary and submitted false insurance claims to Standard Bank and Momentum, for R38 000 and R30 000 respectively.
Working with mortuary employees, the fraudsters submit fake death certificates and other documents to insurance companies.
Department of Health spokes-man, Chris Maxon, said the sale of unidentified bodies and issuing of fake death certificates for fraudulent insurance claims was a “huge problem” in the province. He said they were working closely with police and hoped to bust the syndicate soon.
“We have identified several suspects and reported this to police – arrest is imminent. We will put a stop to this scam.”
In the latest bust, the trio were nabbed by Captain Shane Smith and Warrant Officer Peter George of the Durban Organised Crime Unit – Cato Manor, after a tip-off."
