It may depend on the policy, the way in which a DC may have been faked, what other evidence of death is available.Many, perhaps most policies in the US have a 2 year contestability clause. After 2 years, the facts surrounding the death do not matter, only the truth of the death. If the underwriter is not willing to be satisfied based on a certificate, that death has occurred, they might demand other evidence. And the beneficiaries might sue the underwriter. So the courts would get involved.Of course, the issuer of the fraudulent DC will want to be paid. I am going to guess that the beneficiaries had to pay them up front. So they are out a lot of cash, waiting for a claim payment that is tied up in court, and may never happen. At best, it wonu2019t happen quickly.While the insurance company is trying awfully hard to not only avoid paying, but to actively accuse them of fraud. Sending them to prison.