Too much of

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.

Shame on them

THE so-called ‘fake food poisoning’ scam allegedly perpetrated by a group of expats may seem to some like a jolly wheeze to get some cash from insurers, with no real losers.

But the fallout casts a shadow over British holidaymakers in general. It was also an appalling image for the island to have to carry.

UK media headlines were at the time filled with lurid tales of hundreds of unfortunate holidaymakers on all-you-can-eat deals having their dream vacations ruined by a bout of ‘holiday tummy’.

No doubt many claims were fully justified but there also seems to be little doubt that many were not.

Insurers shelled out millions not just in Mallorca, but also across Spain, with hoteliers left scratching their heads about just how so many people could fall ill from food poisoning. It also inevitably led to higher insurance premiums and even worse, cancelled bookings.

If the allegations detailed on our front page are proven to be true, the explanation is that fake claims were orchestrated by unscrupulous expats looking to make a quick buck.

If so, those guilty should pay the penalty. But there is a group of fraudsters numbering in the hundreds, if not thousands, who will not appear in court.

These are those holidaymakers who filled in the claim forms despite knowing they had not been ill.

They might not think of themselves as being fraudsters, but that is what they are. Shame on them.

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es

Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

Anthony Piovesan anthony@theolivepress.es

Jo Chipchase jo@theolivepress.es

John Culatto

ADMIN Sandra Aviles Diaz (+34) 951 273 575 admin@ theolivepress.es