In an unusual case of attempted insurance fraud, two Delhi-based traders were arrested in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly trying to cremate a mannequin instead of a human body to fraudulently claim insurance money worth ₹50 lakh, police said on Friday.

According to authorities, the incident unfolded when four men arrived at a cremation ground in a Haryana-registered vehicle, claiming they were carrying a deceased person. They purchased ghee and other materials for last rites and placed the “body” on a pyre, apparently intending to conduct a traditional cremation ceremony. However, their nervous behaviour raised suspicions of a municipal employee named Nitin, who was present at the cremation ghat. When Nitin lifted the sheet covering the body, he was shocked to discover it was not a corpse, but a mannequin. He immediately informed the municipal authorities, prompting a police response.

A team of officers rushed to the site, where they recovered the vehicle used by the accused along with three mannequins. Police arrested Kamal Somani and his associate Ashish Khurana, both residents of Jain Colony in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar. Two of their accomplices managed to escape, and an investigation is ongoing to trace them.

During interrogation, Somani, a textile trader, admitted to orchestrating the scheme due to financial difficulties. He reportedly had a debt of ₹50 lakh and had been under considerable stress for months. In a confession to police, he revealed the detailed plan behind the attempted fraud. Somani allegedly obtained the Aadhaar and PAN cards of Anshul, the brother of his employee Neeraj, under the pretext of completing paperwork. He then took out a ₹50 lakh Tata AIA insurance policy in Anshul’s name nearly a year ago and had been regularly paying the premiums.

The scheme was intended to be elaborate and convincing. The plan involved sending Anshul out of town, passing off a mannequin as his body, and cremating it to obtain an official receipt from the cremation ground. This, according to Somani, would have allowed him to secure a death certificate and subsequently claim the insurance payout. However, the plan was foiled when the municipal employee detected irregularities at the ghat.

Police used Somani’s phone to video call Anshul, who was in Prayagraj at the time. Anshul reportedly had no knowledge of the plot and was unaware that a mannequin was being staged as his death at Brijghat. Circle Officer Stuti Singh described the case as a clear instance of insurance fraud, emphasizing the premeditated nature of the scheme.

Authorities are currently investigating the matter in detail, and efforts are underway to apprehend the two absconding suspects involved in the plot. Police have also begun examining Somani’s financial records, insurance documents, and communication logs to determine the full extent of the fraudulent activity.

This bizarre case has drawn attention for the creative but illegal lengths to which individuals may go to evade financial obligations. Insurance fraud, particularly schemes involving fake death claims, can carry severe legal consequences, including criminal charges for cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.

The police have warned citizens and businesses to exercise caution when handling financial instruments and insurance policies. They stressed the importance of verifying personal documentation and being vigilant about the misuse of identity documents for fraudulent purposes.

According to the Circle Officer, the investigation may reveal additional accomplices or attempts at similar fraudulent claims. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from the cremation site and examining other transactions linked to the accused traders to prevent further criminal activity.

The incident underscores the need for tighter checks and verification mechanisms in the insurance sector to prevent exploitation. Insurance companies are advised to ensure that claims are thoroughly validated through proper legal documentation and independent verification of deaths before disbursing large payouts.

This case also highlights the role of alert citizens and municipal employees in preventing fraud. The vigilance of Nitin, the municipal employee who noticed the suspicious behaviour at the cremation ghat, played a critical role in thwarting a potentially successful insurance scam. His quick thinking not only exposed the fraudulent activity but also enabled law enforcement to take immediate action against the perpetrators.

Insurance fraud remains a growing concern across India, with increasing cases of fake claims, identity theft, and staged accidents reported in recent years. Law enforcement agencies and insurance providers continue to work together to develop preventive measures and ensure accountability for those attempting fraudulent activities.

In conclusion, the arrest of Kamal Somani and Ashish Khurana in Hapur for attempting to cremate a mannequin to claim ₹50 lakh in insurance highlights a bizarre yet calculated criminal attempt to evade financial obligations. The swift action of municipal authorities and the police has prevented a large-scale financial crime, and ongoing investigations are expected to uncover further details about the network behind the plot. Citizens and businesses are advised to remain vigilant, and insurance companies are urged to strengthen their verification processes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The case serves as a stark reminder that insurance fraud can take unusual forms and that diligence, vigilance, and timely reporting are key to maintaining integrity in financial and insurance systems.