Insurance Fraud: Disproving Total Disability Claim Through Digital Evidence
The Challenge
Claimant receiving total disability benefits for claimed back injury preventing any work. Insurance company SIU suspected fraud after anonymous tip. Claimant claimed inability to sit, stand, or lift more than 5 pounds. Medical records showed legitimate injury 2 years prior, but carrier suspected recovery and unreported return to work.
Our Approach
Social media forensic collection (NOT screenshots) from Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok using court-accepted preservation tools
Smartphone forensic examination (authorized by surveillance and inconsistency investigation) revealing photos, location history, and app usage
GPS location history analysis from Google Maps Timeline showing daily travel patterns to industrial worksite
Financial analysis of bank deposits, Venmo transactions, and Cash App payments indicating unreported income
Cloud storage examination finding deleted photos showing claimant performing physical labor
Dating app profile analysis (Tinder, Bumble) where claimant described active lifestyle and employment
Email forensics revealing correspondence with employers and clients about freelance work
Photo EXIF metadata analysis proving images were taken during disability claim period
Timeline correlation between claimed medical appointments and actual GPS-proven work site attendance
Key Forensic Findings
Facebook posts showed claimant building deck and carrying lumber, with timestamps during disability period
Instagram stories (forensically preserved before deletion) showed claimant at construction sites with captions "Another successful project"
LinkedIn profile listed "Owner, ABC Construction Services" with start date during disability claim
Google Maps location history showed daily 8 AM - 5 PM presence at construction sites, not medical appointments as claimed
Bank deposits totaling $68,000 over claim period from Venmo/Cash App labeled "deck work," "framing job," "demo work"
Smartphone photo gallery contained 200+ images of construction projects, tools, and work crews taken during disability
Dating profile described "I work in construction and stay active" contradicting claimed total disability
EXIF metadata from photos proved images taken with claimant's iPhone at construction sites during claimed disability
Deleted cloud backup recovered text messages: "Don't post about work online, I'm on disability"
The Outcome
Digital forensics proved claimant was operating cash-based construction business while collecting $127,000 in disability benefits over 2 years. Social media and smartphone evidence showed claimant framing houses, carrying heavy materials, and advertising services. Benefits immediately terminated, $127,000 overpayment demand issued, criminal prosecution for insurance fraud resulted in 18-month prison sentence and $150,000 restitution order. Insurer avoided $380,000 in future benefit payments through successful fraud detection.
Case Impact
Services Utilized
Social Media Forensic Collection
Mobile Device Forensics
GPS Location Analysis
Financial Transaction Analysis
Cloud Storage Forensics
Photo Authentication & EXIF Analysis
Expert Witness Testimony