A veterinary nurse, Gemma Cole, 31, from Henfield, has been sentenced after submitting over £13,000 in fraudulent insurance claims for her pets. Employed at a West Sussex surgery, Cole exploited her access to workplace systems to claim payments from December 2018 to May 2023.
On July 2, 2024, Cole pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position at Crawley Magistrates Court, and on August 29, 2024, she was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months, along with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement. She was also dismissed from her position.
The investigation was initiated after the head veterinary nurse reported Cole to Allianz, revealing that she had been using the Vet Envoy system to submit false and exaggerated claims. Allianz’s review of Cole’s claims discovered £13,334 worth of treatments and medications that were never provided.
In June 2023, Allianz referred the case to the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED). A search warrant executed at Cole’s home revealed a large quantity of pet medication linked to her fraudulent claims. During her police interview, Cole admitted to her actions, stating she had accessed colleagues’ accounts while they were logged in.
Ben Fletcher, Director of Financial Crime at Allianz, emphasized the company’s commitment to combating fraud, highlighting the importance of integrity in insurance claims.