Rule of thumb: If you’re thinking of faking a trip-and-fall accident and suing, be sure security cameras aren’t watching you set up the scene of the crime.

You have to hand it to Benedict Harkins: When he tried to commit insurance fraud against the Farm Fresh Market in Jamestown, NY, he took a few minutes setting things up to help corroborate his story. After arranging a rug in the market to look like he’d tripped over it, Harkins laid down and clutched his back in agony.

He was taken to a hospital and treated for his faked back injury. He then submitted the bill — as well as an $860 bill for ambulance service — to the market’s insurer, and declared his intent to sue the company for his injury.

However, a quick review of the market’s video surveillance system revealed Harkins had spent several minutes making sure the rug he “tripped” over looked just right before laying next to it.

Harkin withdrew his claim to the insurance agency, and faces up to one year in prison.

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Tags: Accident, Back injury, Slip and fall, Workplace injury