AXA recently took part in a police crackdown on commercial motor insurance fraud. Working together with the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), the insurer played a key role in the operation by helping verify the legitimacy of motor policies.
The police crackdown involved a three-day operation during which commercial vehicles were stopped at the roadside. Craig Conlon, AXA’s commercial policy fraud & intelligence manager, was on hand to check policies and offer guidance to the IFED.
IFED’s roadside operation resulted in a total of six arrests. Out of the 150 vehicles that were stopped, 18 were seized due to a lack of insurance.
Commenting on his involvement, Conlon explained how criminals often exploit commercial motor policies to conduct illegal activities discreetly. By operating under motor trade and fleet policies where drivers are not individually named, they attempt to evade identification by law enforcement and surveillance systems.
“People think there can’t be that much, and its association is exaggerated, but it’s rife and is increasing,” he said in an emailed news release. “It’s not just the financial implications of commercial motor fraud, there’s also a huge reputational risk. For example, it’s linked to crimes such as gang related activity, Class A drug supply, modern day slavery and child sexual exploitation, so we have good reason to get close to it and help stamp it out.”
Conlon’s role within AXA involves close collaboration with serious and organised crime units across the UK, including those in Scotland, Manchester, and Yorkshire. He works with a team of three investigators, focusing on commercial motor, property and casualty fraud.
“We do a lot of work to see if there are AXA policies associated with individuals and addresses that are of interest to the police,” said Conlon. “In addition, this data is used to identify and disrupt their ability to obtain AXA policies in the future and to support law enforcement operations.”
AXA is one of the few insurers in the UK that have established a dedicated commercial fraud team, “on the policy side,” according to Conlon.
“Claims and retail policy are different, as these areas are where it’s perceived most of the fraud is perpetrated, but commercial motor fraud is a huge risk to the industry and the public,” he said.
Aside from leading AXA’s efforts to combat commercial insurance fraud, Conlon is also part of several police serious and organised Silver Crime Committees, where members target organised crime groups and individuals of interest by disrupting their illicit activities.
“These close links with the police are mutually beneficial because of the information we share with each other,” said Conlon. “Together we are working to disrupt criminal activity with the aim of eradicating commercial motor fraud and preventing harm to the public.”
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