Private eyes on the prize: Inside NZ’s $1b insurance fraud fight

PI veteran Ron McQuilter says most people he has investigated for insurers had something to hide. (Image: NZME)

Mon, 29 Sep 2025

Fraud is rising, insurers are leaning on private eyes and the bill is topping $1 billion. In our Risky Business series, Cécile Meier looks at how far investigators can go, and where the lines are drawn.Ron McQuilter has a warning for insurance fraudsters: “Don’t complain about the poor PI asked to validate your claim.”In his 2020 book Busted! and its 2022 follow-up Busted Again!, the veteran private investigator shares stories from four decades of cases. Insurance scammers feature alongside blackmailers, cheating spouse...

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