The Manitoba Public Insurance building in downtown Winnipeg. (CHRISD.CA FILE)
Manitoba Public Insurance has uncovered five notable fraud cases in 2025, part of more than 2,600 suspected fraudulent claims investigated this year.
MPI says the cases handled by its special investigation unit (SIU) helped save ratepayers nearly $17 million in attempted auto insurance fraud, including about $2 million from these five incidents alone.
MPI officials say the examples are being shared to show how insurance fraud drives up costs for all Manitobans and to encourage the public to report suspicious activity.
MPI’s Top 5 Frauds in 2025
- Body Builder
After a minor collision, a claimant reported severe injuries that prevented them from working or completing daily tasks and received income replacement and personal care benefits. An SIU investigation found the individual regularly lifting heavy weights at a gym. MPI terminated the benefits, saving ratepayers more than $300,000. - Injured Arsonist
A claimant sought compensation after being burned when their commercial truck exploded in a hotel parking lot. The individual claimed the injuries occurred while trying to extinguish the fire. Video evidence later showed the claimant deliberately setting the fire. The claim was denied, saving approximately $1 million. - Dubai Bound
A vehicle owner reported their car stolen and received a payout. Investigators later learned the vehicle was intercepted in Ontario inside a shipping container bound for Dubai. The car had been out of province before it was reported stolen. MPI is seeking to recover more than $51,000 paid out on the claim. - A Porsche Hunt
Following a collision involving a Porsche, conflicting statements and evidence prompted an SIU investigation. Investigators determined the crash was intentional and that false information had been provided, including who was driving the vehicle. The claim was denied, saving about $154,000. - Covert Cases of Beer
A claimant receiving income replacement benefits reported being unable to lift more than a few pounds. Surveillance showed the individual routinely working long days and loading large quantities of beer and other heavy items without difficulty. Benefits were terminated, saving more than $480,000, with efforts underway to recover funds already paid.
“While many of you will shake your heads or even chuckle at the audacity of some of these cases we are highlighting, MPI is sharing these fraud attempts to emphasize that insurance fraud has a
cost, and that cost is borne by all of us in Manitoba,” said John Bowering, MPI’s vice-president and chief claims officer, in a release.
MPI encourages anyone with information about possible insurance fraud to contact the MPI TIPS Line at (204) 985-8477 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
