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Crash for cash pair sentenced
Posted on 20.03.2009

Two men who were part of a gang which put in hundreds of bogus car accident claims worth almost three million pounds have been sentenced.

The pair were arrested following a joint operation with the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) and City of London Police (CoLP). Ahmad Bolkhari-Ghahi, was jailed for three years four months, while Hussein Hassani was sentenced to four years in prison. Mr Hassani failed to appear in court for sentencing and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The 18-month investigation saw police and the IFB working in partnership to uncover fraudulent activity and the submission of false motor insurance accident claims. The IFB contacted detectives after its members identified multiple claims showing similar features such as addresses, mobile phone numbers and bank accounts and multiple bogus insurance policies created across more than 20 insurers.

The court heard details of how more than 300 ‘invented’ motor accidents that were said to have happened in the London area between 2005 and 2007 amounting to a combined claims value of approximately £3m.

Detective Inspector Richard Fisher from the City of London Police’s Economic Crime Department said: “Fraudulent insurance claims impact on all of us. The police are committed to working with the insurance industry to investigate suspicious claims and bring criminals to justice.”

John Beadle, chairman of the IFB, said: “This shows the positive results that can be achieved by the insurance industry and law enforcement working in unison.

“Our industry is no longer an easy target for these criminals and we are determined to protect our honest customers. “The cost of fraud adds on average £40 to every policyholder’s insurance premium. I would urge anyone with information on insurance fraud to call the Bureau’s free and confidential Cheatline on 0800 3282550 or report online at http://www.insurancefraudbureau.org/report.