Insurance companies implicated in use of rogue private investigators

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Ten insurance companies have been implicated in the use of the "rogue element of the private investigation industry", according to a report from the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca).

The Independent has reported that a range of blue-chip industries that have escaped any censure over their use of corrupt private investigators is soon to be revealed.

The 2008 report, entitled Private Investigators: The Rogue Element of the Private Investigation Industry and Others Unlawfully Trading in Personal Data, presents the results of Project Riverside, an investigation carried out by Soca and five other law enforcement agencies.

According to the article it identifies 102 bluechip companies that have utilised rogue investigators.

Soca has refused to publish the list in full on the grounds that it could jeopardise a current Scotland Yard investigation.

However, Keith Vaz, the chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, has called for the names of the companies involved to be revealed.

Both the Association of British Insurers and the British Insurance Brokers' Association declined to comment on the findings.


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