German tour operator Tui is working with Spanish police to help with efforts to crack down on bogus illness claims by holidaymakers prompted by claims management companies in resorts, travelweekly.co.uk reports and adds:
The Thomson and First Choice parent company met with the financial crimes division of the Spanish National Police last week to discuss the issues and the actions that are being taken.
The police, who were presented with detail about hundreds of cases of suspected fraud, have now delivered the results of their investigation to courts in Palma.
Holidaymakers who submitted false or exaggerated claims for food poisoning against hoteliers in Majorca during the last year can expect criminal action to be taken against them, Europe’s largest tour operator warned.
Criminal courts in Palma, Majorca are investigating claims brought by hundreds of UK holidaymakers regarding dishonest or exaggerated illness they allege was caused by tour operators or hotels.
The investigation has been focused on the activities of “claims farmers” who have encouraged holidaymakers to make false claims.
Nevertheless, people who have brought fraudulent claims are now facing prosecution in Spain due to direct action from the courts, police and hoteliers, according to Tui.
Tui UK & Ireland managing director Nick Longman noted: “We have had a very positive meeting with the Spanish police to discuss the unprecedented levels of illness claims. We fully support the steps they are taking to expose this kind of fraud and to investigate false or exaggerated cases. Through the work we are doing and the awareness we are raising of this type of activity, we’ve already seen one law firm drop more than 1,800 cases against us. We remain committed to doing all that we can to put a stop to this activity and therefore protect honest holidaymakers.”
The police action follows Foreign and Commonwealth Office warnings to holidaymakers against submitted fake illness claims in Spain together with Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria and Cyprus.
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Source: travelweekly.co.uk
