A couple in China has been arrested on suspicion of a carefully planned insurance fraud after the man allegedly broke his girlfriend’s chest bone during a playful moment and the pair subsequently faked a car accident to cover the cost of her treatment.
The couple, identified by the surnames Wang and Lan, were in a long-term, often argumentative, relationship in Panzhihua city when the incident occurred in June 2024.
The Prank and the High Cost of Treatment
The initial injury occurred while Wang and Lan were playing outside a relative’s home. Wang allegedly jumped onto Lan’s back and asked her to carry him, with the sudden, concentrated pressure causing a severe fracture in her chest bone.
Despite the serious injury, the couple did not seek immediate medical help. Instead, they searched online and, upon realizing the high cost of treatment, decided on an elaborate scheme to file a fraudulent insurance claim.
Staging the Accident
Approximately an hour after the injury occurred, police say Wang drove Lan to a remote intersection. The couple then staged the traffic accident:
- Wang allegedly laid Lan against the rear of the car, making it appear as though he had accidentally struck her while driving.
- When reporting the incident, the couple concealed the fact that they were in a relationship to avoid suspicion.
Lan was admitted to the hospital following the staged accident. Wang allegedly convinced the insurance company to advance tens of thousands of yuan for her treatment, citing financial hardship. After her discharge, Lan filed a final claim seeking more than 200,000 yuan (approximately $28,000), all while hiding the true cause of her injuries.
Police Investigation and Arrest
The insurance company became suspicious and flagged several irregularities, eventually alerting the police. Investigators uncovered critical inconsistencies:
- Lack of Damage: Police found no signs of impact damage on the vehicle.
- Location and Relationship: The alleged accident site was isolated, and the police uncovered the close relationship between Wang and Lan.
- Unnatural Position: Photographs from the scene further raised suspicion, showing Lan leaning against a pillow in a position that officers described as “unnatural” for a genuine traffic victim.
Authorities ultimately concluded that the accident was staged. Wang and Lan were recently arrested on suspicion of insurance fraud. If convicted, they could face up to 10 years in prison along with a fine of 200,000 yuan.
Social Media Reaction
The case generated strong reactions on Chinese social media, focusing on the couple’s poor judgment:
- One user commented, “These two have no legal awareness; they are foolish criminals.”
- Another criticized the broader impact, writing, “People like them are destroying social trust. Police and insurance companies are wasting huge resources on cases like this.”