Guilty of fake sickness scam
Social media posts reveal family "loved" Benidorm stay
Four fraudsters convicted of faking sickness in €45,000 sting
A FAMILY of fraudsters have been convicted of faking sickness in an attempted £45,000 sting after holidaying in Benidorm.
Michael Jameson, 43, Claire Weir, 35, Jane Weir, 38, and Janet Weir, 63, all from Liverpool, made fraudulent claims for compensation and legal costs against Jet2holidays after a week-long stay at the all-inclusive Aqua Magic Rock Gardens in July 2015.
They maintained they and four children suffered days with nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and vomiting; all they claimed as a result of food poisoning.
However, their claims that the Costa Blanca break was ruined were shown to be fake; the holiday company and lawyers Horwich Farrelly presented social media posts - such as ‘loved every minute of it’, ‘had the best holiday ever’, ‘lovely hotel, food’, and ‘didn’t want to come back home’.
And records at the hotel showed they had been sinking a cocktail list of alcoholic drinks when they claimed to be ill.
All four were sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for two years, and fined £750 each after admitting they made fraudulent claims when they appeared at a Liverpool court. They were also order to pay Jet2holidays’ costs.
Britain was labelled the ‘sick man of Europe’ after an epidemic of gastric sickness claims; between 2013 and 2015 there was a 500% rise in compensation demands.
Horwich Farrelly fraud partner David Scott said: “There has been a reported 500% increase in holiday sickness claims since 2013 and we believe only a very small number are genuine.
“Horwich Farrelly has successfully defended almost 3,000 holiday sickness claims in two years and many share the same evidence as we saw in this case – we are pleased that this family accepted their claims were fraudulent.”
And Steve Heapy, chief executive of the Jet2holidays and Jet2.com, said the company was leading the way to tackle the issue and warn fake claims would result in serious consequences.
“It should lead anyone making a false sickness claim in no doubt, we will robustly investigate and defend any claims that are dishonest or illegitimate – and the courts will not hesitate to punish anyone engaging in such fraud.”