FAR OUT FRIDAY: Fraudster who faked death may have to repay life insurance cash

A man who faked his own death may have to repay the cash he cheated out of insurance companies now that a pension has matured.

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A man who faked his own death may have to repay the cash he cheated out of insurance companies now that a pension has matured.

John Darwin, who was jailed with his wife Anne in 2008 for fraud, appeared in a British courtroom for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, following the revelation that he is now able to repay more, as his pension has matured.

The 63-year-old, who is divorced and claiming benefits, has only been able to hand back £122 ($197) of a total £679,073 ($1,095,987) ordered by a judge.

According to Britain’s Guardian newspaper, the crown has now applied for him to repay more.

His former wife has repaid more than £500,000 ($806,973) under a separate proceeds of crime order.

Darwin did not speak during the brief hearing, with another hearing to decide the matter scheduled for May.

The deception began in March of 2002, when John Darwin was reported missing in a canoe in the North Sea. His wife collected more than £500,000 in life insurance payouts while he hid in their home, leaving their two sons to believe that he was dead. (continued.)
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In December 2007, Darwin walked into a London police station, claiming to have amnesia, and was reunited with his sons.

His wife, who had fled with him to Panama, pretended to be shocked until a photograph surfaced of the two of them posing together after his supposed death.  As a result, she was jailed for six and a half years for fraud and money-laundering.

 

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