A man from the United Kingdom falsely claimed an injury compensation of £50,000, only to be later caught surfing down a staircase on a skateboard.
A resident of Thornaby, North Yorkshire, Christopher Clinton scammed an insurance company after being in a car accident on the A66 in Middlesbrough in 2016.
The 29-year-old asbestos worker claimed compensation for sustaining spine, shoulders, and hip injuries.
In 2017, Christopher had further claimed that the accident left him with severe injuries that made him unfit to return to work. The North Yorkshire resident previously worked as an asbestos remover.
Also Read: Woman pretends to be pregnant for paid maternity leave
Claiming a loss of income, insurance firm AXA UK reserved £50,000 and £40,000 for Christopher’s legal costs.
An investigation later found out that Christopher would often upload pictures of himself swimming, climbing, and surfing down a staircase on social media.
Also Read: New York nurse-duo busted for forging vaccine cards in elaborate scheme
Damian Rourke, an employee at law firm Clyde & Co. told Teeside Live, “Insurance companies and the courts will not tolerate any attempts to exaggerate injuries in order to get money. Mr. Clinton certainly didn’t help himself by filling his social media with videos of sports and activities, none of which could have been done if his claims were true.”
“Also, at a time when the pandemic has created a log jam throughout the legal system, his action was a complete waste of the court’s time and delayed other more worthy cases,” Rourke added.
Also Read: International scamsters stole billions in COVID benefits in US: Report
Tom Wilson, Head of Counter Fraud Operations at AXA UK added, “The decision against Mr. Clinton should serve as a warning to anyone who is considering making a fraudulent claim.”
According to Teeside Live, the former asbestos worker was legally ordered by Deputy District Judge Crammond of the Middlesbrough County Court to pay £4,439 for falsely claiming an injury compensation.
Christopher discontinued his claim in October 2021 after being presented with evidence against him.
