‘Award-winning’ hotel owner sentenced for £34,500 benefits fraud

A man who fraudulently claimed £34,483 in disability benefits while he continued to work different jobs, including most recently as an “award-winning” hotel owner, has been sentenced.

Richard Moore, 33, of Walshaw Road, Bury, Greater Manchester, was sentenced to 14 months in prison and suspended for 18 months at Manchester Crown Court (Minshull Street). He was also given 100 hours community service and a 15 day rehabilitation course. He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation in February this year.

The City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) led on the criminal investigation, and first became aware of Moore’s fraudulent activity via a referral from Aviva Insurance, who was his insurer.

Moore had taken out an income protection policy with Aviva in 2008, which replaces an individual’s income when they’re unable to work as a result of illness or injury. IFED discovered that Moore began claiming benefits in November 2013, after he reportedly became “depressed and anxious” and subsequently stopped working.

A year later, Moore started working again at a different company, but didn’t notify Aviva, going on to work for three other companies across a three year period, without informing Aviva.

In 2017, Moore took part in a health review conducted by insurance company. In reply to the questions posed to him he confirmed that he hadn’t worked since he first became incapacitated, he couldn’t return to do any part of his occupation and his condition was getting worse.

After his health review, Aviva launched an internal investigation into Moore. It uncovered evidence, including several regional news articles, which suggested Moore was the managing director/owner of a hotel in Walshaw, Bury. On top of this, Aviva carried out two days of surveillance on Moore, which proved that he was working at the hotel.

Detective constable Kevin Carter, who led the investigation for the IFED, said: “Moore took full advantage of the financial support provided to him by his income protection insurance policy from Aviva.

“He worked multiple jobs across several years, without ever notifying his insurer, and was even brazen enough to take ownership of a hotel and pose for pictures with awards for the regional press.”

He added: “It’s clear that Moore had no intention of stopping, and would’ve gone on to fraudulently claim an even greater sum of money, if not for the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department’s joint investigation with Aviva, which exposed his lies and ensured he was brought to justice.”

Jacqueline Kerwood, governance and philosophy manager for individual protection claims, Aviva, said: “We are pleased with today’s sentencing, which highlights the severity of Mr Moore’s actions in deceiving Aviva in an attempt to claim more than £400,000. Aviva soon realised Mr Moore had not been forthcoming with his various jobs, and our investigation and referral to IFED brought an end to his audacious scam.

“Today’s sentencing makes the point that insurance fraud is a crime and if you commit insurance fraud, it is very likely you will be caught and prosecuted – as Mr Moore has learned the hard way.”