Fraud investigations performed by IWIF Workers’ Compensation Insurance, the state’s largest workers’ compensation insurer, led to 28 suspects being prosecuted and the recovery of $3.3 million last year, it reported.

The Towson, Md.-based insurer, which writes about one-in-four workers’ compensation policies in Maryland, said it referred 28 people for prosecutor or arrest for alleged claimant or premium fraud last year.

The $3.3 million recovered includes money recovered from claimant and premium misrepresentation and fraud. The company collected $3.2 million from premium avoidance fraud and $159,000 in claimant restitution.

IWIF officials said its efforts against false or exaggerated claims saved $45.7 million in its claim reserves.

“Workers’ compensation fraud prevention, detection and prosecution are top priorities for IWIF’s Special Investigations Unit,” said Jerry Landsman, IWIF’s fraud director, in a statement. “Staying vigilant and fighting fraud on all fronts helps keep premium costs down for our policyholders.”