Ten people have been sentenced for a ‘crash for cash’ conspiracy to defraud insurance companies. Ringleader Ali Askher, 45, of Silverwood Road, Peterborough was jailed for three-and-a-half years at Peterborough Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday).
Askher ran two claim management companies in the city – Millfield Accident Claims Specialists and Premier Claim Specialists – and was the main player in the plot which had the potential to defraud insurance companies out of more than £439,000.
Police launched an investigation into fraudulent insurance claims in 2008 – more than 30 incidents were investigated and 10 claims found to be fraudulent. The claims included accidents that had never happened, exaggerated injury claims and incidents where vehicles were taken to remote locations and crashed.
Askher pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud along with: Shawizia Khatoon, 33, of Hankey Street, who was sentenced to 51-weeks in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 220 hours’ unpaid work; Ali Arshad, 39, of Harris Street, who was given a 38-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours’ community service; Rozmina Nathoo, 44, of Briar Way, who was sentenced to a 40-week jail term, suspended for two years, and 200 hours’ unpaid work while her husband Taswin Nathoo, 47, of Briar Way, was sentenced to 28 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work.
Four others pleaded guilty to fraud and were sentenced as follows: Naeem Akhter, 28, of Clare Road, Millfield, was given a 28-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and 200 hours’ unpaid work; Wahid Hussain, 39, of Gladstone Street, 28-weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years; Misbah Hussain, 30, of Harris Street, 12-month community order and 200 hours’ unpaid work; Shafaqat Hussain, 27, of Harris Street, 28-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, with 200 hours’ unpaid work.
Mohammed Faisal Ali, 20, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud and was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 260 hours’ unpaid work.Detective Constable Greg Page, who led the investigation, said: “This was a sophisticated conspiracy where the main players sought to cash in by making false claims.
“This type of offence is very serious and is not a victimless crime. Fraudulent claims cost the insurance industry a vast amount of money and that ultimately has a significant effect by pushing up premiums for everyone else.”
Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) director Glen Marr added: “The insurance industry has effective controls in place to systematically, on a daily basis, root out individuals and networks attempting to defraud insurers. Collaboration with police forces across the UK is an integral feature of these industry efforts and this is bringing organised fraudsters to justice. Commit insurance fraud and the likelihood is you will be caught and face the personal consequences, including the prospect of a criminal record.
“The criminal activity commonly known as ‘crash for cash’, has an impact on genuine insurance consumers. Insurance fraud adds on average an extra £44 to each annual insurance premium.
Protecting the interests of genuine consumers is at the very heart of the industry counter-fraud strategy.
“The IFB urges anyone with information on any kind of insurance fraud, to do the right thing and help identify these criminals. Calls can be made to the free and confidential IFB Cheatline on 0800 328 2550, or reports made online at www.insurancefraudbureau.org/report”
Source : IFB
