Injured arsonist, weightlifting beer driver among top fraudulent MPI claims in 2025

A Manitoba Public Insurance investigation unit says it detected thousands of fraudulent claims this year, saving customers nearly $17 million.

MPI investigations looked into more than 2,600 cases involving suspicious claims in 2025, the non-profit Crown corporation, which provides insurance, registration and licensing services to drivers, said in a news release Monday.

The work done by investigators “saves Manitobans money,” while maintaining the system’s integrity, said John Bowering, the corporation’s vice president and chief claims officer.

“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,” the release says.

Pumping iron

In one instance, the release says, a person claimed mobility issues and being unable to care for themselves and their children following a two-vehicle collision. The claimant said very high pain levels made it impossible to do almost any activity, including sitting down.

Investigators reviewed the severity of injuries reported but found the claimant spent a lot of time time at the gym, lifting heavy weights while bending and squatting, making household chores seem mild in comparison, the release says.

As a result, MPI ended the claimant’s income replacement and personal care benefits, saving ratepayers in excess of $300,000.

Injured arsonist

A person treated for significant burns after a violent explosion engulfed a commercial truck in flames was denied a claim valued at approximately $1 million, the release says.

The claimant reported trying to save the truck and extinguish the flames for 10 minutes, but investigators found video evidence of the claimant having methodically staged the arson.

At no time was there any evidence of attempts to subdue the flames, the release says.

Trip to Dubai cancelled

In another case, the Crown corporation reached a settlement with a claimant who reported their vehicle had been stolen.

MPI paid the claimant but was later notified by a different investigating agency that the vehicle had been intercepted in a shipping container in Ontario, en route to Dubai with 14 other vehicles.

Investigators discovered that the vehicle had been reported stolen after it had been in Ontario for several days. There were also no signs of forced entry into the vehicle, the release says.

MPI is still in the process of trying to reclaim more than $51,000 paid out for this fraudulent claim, the release says.

Beer hauler busted

A person claimed to be unable to perform certain aspects of their job, including lifting more than five pounds, following a minor collision that resulted in minimal injuries and damage..

The claimant’s business required them to purchase and transport bulk quantities, and as the pain apparently intensified the claimant was awarded income replacement benefits, the release says.

Surveillance by investigators found the claimant was seen regularly transporting beer for seven to 10 hours every day, often loading up to 20 cases of beer into their vehicle without assistance or any evidence of pain.

The benefits were terminated, saving ratepayers more than $480,000, MPI says, adding it is still trying to reclaim $19,000 in benefits already paid.

MPI asks anyone with information detailing auto insurance fraud to call its tips line at 204-985-8477 in Winnipeg, toll-free for those outside the city at 1-877-985-8477 or submit information online at mpi.mb.ca.

Information can also be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at manitobacrimestoppers.com. All calls and reports are anonymous.