The National Insurance Institute's Investigations Division opened an undercover investigation with the police against women and their daughters who took millions of shekels in disability benefits from public funds
The Northern District Police launched an undercover investigation in cooperation with the National Insurance Investigations Division, after the National Insurance Institute came with information to the police about a 53-year-old woman who operated her three daughters and two other women (probably her sisters) who forged medical documents, and made a false representation in the medical boards in favor of receiving disability allowances of 100%, all while their surveillance revealed that they were healthy,
taking Pilates classes, working in the field of aesthetics and even dealing drugs.
In one case, the mother tried to receive an allowance for her child and came to the medical boards of the National Insurance Institute when a suspicious conduct was identified between her and the child. From a thorough examination, it seems that although she herself receives an actual disability pension, her medical condition was completely contrary to the documents she presented. As mentioned, the mother aroused the suspicion of one of the doctors and professional staff in the National Insurance Institute.
Yesterday, the investigation became open after months of monitoring and collecting materials and information about the suspects.
During the follow-ups, a lot of material was collected about their activities, about the manner of forgery, about their daily activities, which are completely contrary to what they reported. As mentioned, yesterday the unit's detectives together with the National Insurance Institute investigators raided the homes of the suspects.
In a search of the mother's home, cannabis drugs were seized in quantity not for self-consumption and over NIS 17 thousand in cash. In
addition, under a search conducted at one of her daughters' home, a rifle and an air gun, that had been removed from inside the wardrobe, were seized.
The findings of the undercover investigation revealed a cynical and criminal exploitation of the service provided by the National Insurance Institute and receiving recognition of disability on the basis of forgery of medical documents of recognized doctors from public the medical care in Israel. The suspicions are attributed to the fraud that led to the removal of millions of shekels from the Institute's treasury and at the expense of those who actually need assistance.
In accordance with the developments of the investigation, the suspects will be brought before the court and the police intends to act to forfeit property and assets seized so far and in the future, as part of an economic enforcement proceeding against any of the women involved. The National Insurance Institute will transform all amounts wrongfully taken in debts, to be deducted from allowances and, as stated, a criminal indictment will be filed against them.
The National Insurance Institute's response: "Taking allowances unlawfully and at the expense of those who really need them is not only a criminal act but also a social crime against the public. The National Insurance will continue to provide service to the citizens of Israel and at the same time will act by all means at its disposal to locate people who wish to receive an allowance fraudulently. We know that there is at times criticism against our decision-making, but we relate with reverence to both public funds and assistance to those in need."