The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
A claimant's bank funds have been frozen following accusations of fraudulent activities involving counterfeit medical invoices.
The civil lawsuit, initiated by NRMA Insurance, targets Haneen Asfour, who is accused of securing funds through false pretenses. The insurer alleges that Asfour accumulated $380,594 through deceptive claims.
After a car accident in Prospect in December 2022, Asfour began receiving statutory benefits from NRMA. However, additional payments were requested for private medical treatments that, according to sworn testimonies from medical practitioners, were never provided.
The extreme measure of halting Asfour’s financial transactions was deemed necessary by a NSW Supreme Court judge, who expressed the likelihood of Asfour potentially diverting or disposing of the misappropriated funds.
The court’s decision is rooted in claims that, without the order, Asfour could easily deplete the alleged fraudulent funds by various means such as withdrawing from bank accounts or transferring assets to more obscure locations.
NRMA's legal team claims that the fraudulent activities were apparent and purposeful, aimed at exploiting the insurer’s funding for private pain management and therapy sessions that did not occur.
The freezing order and NRMA’s statement of claim were formally presented to Asfour last week. Nonetheless, she will continue to receive her statutory payments of $2113 fortnightly, after tax deductions, amid ongoing investigations.
Published:Wednesday, 5th Jun 2024 Source: Paige Estritori
Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.
Insurtech Australia has officially announced the upcoming InsurtechLIVE26 conference, scheduled for 18 February 2026 at Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf in Sydney. This event is poised to be a pivotal gathering for professionals in the insurance and technology sectors, aiming to explore and advance innovation within the industry. - read more
Insurance Australia Group (IAG), a leading insurer in the Australian market, has highlighted the escalating impact of climate change on home insurance premiums. The company reports that the increasing frequency and severity of weather events are significant factors driving up the cost of home insurance for Australians. - read more
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has recently released a white paper highlighting the urgent need for reforms to state and territory civil liability laws, which have remained largely unchanged for nearly 25 years. These outdated laws are contributing to significant increases in public liability insurance premiums, affecting a wide range of businesses across the nation. - read more
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released its latest National Claims and Policies Database (NCPD) statistics, revealing a substantial increase in public liability insurance premiums over recent years. According to the data, premiums have risen by 40% since 2015, a rate that surpasses general inflation and places additional financial strain on businesses across the country. - read more
Sydney-based insurtech company Upcover has launched a new management liability insurance product designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and sole traders across Australia. This offering aims to provide comprehensive protection against a range of risks, including employment disputes, official investigations, tax audits, financial crimes, statutory liabilities, and allegations of legal breaches. - read more
Cyber insurance is a type of insurance designed to protect businesses from internet-based risks and, more generally, from risks relating to information technology infrastructure and activities. It covers losses related to data breaches, cyber extortion, and other kinds of cyber attacks. - read more
In an age where digital presence intertwines with daily operations, the threat landscape in Australia has magnified, exposing businesses to an evolving array of cyber threats. From sophisticated phishing attempts to ransomware attacks, the risk of digital insecurity looms large. Australia, with its growing technological adoption, finds itself facing an upsurge in cyber threat incidents year over year. - read more
Remote work has seen a significant rise in Australia, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. More businesses are embracing flexibility, allowing employees to work from home or other remote locations. - read more
As the digital economy flourishes, Australian businesses are enjoying the fruits of their own cyber-infrastructure but are also becoming increasingly susceptible to cyber threats. The era of the internet has ushered in a wave of new opportunities, yet it also demands vigilance in the face of growing cyber risks. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated and frequent, the imperative for robust cyber security measures has never been more pronounced. - read more
Cyber risk management involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks related to digital and online threats. These threats can include unauthorized access to sensitive information, data breaches, and other malicious activities targeting an organization’s digital infrastructure. - read more
Knowledgebase
Proximate Cause: The primary cause of loss in an insurance claim, which sets in motion a chain of events leading to the damage or injury.