A COVENTRY man is among a group who have been jailed for making more than £225,000 in insurance payouts by fraudulently claiming high-value classic cars had been stolen.
The elaborate scam took place from 2009 to 2017 and saw those involved making insurance claims of between £10,000 and £25,000 each time for 21 ‘stolen’ classics.
However, the cars, all classic 1980s Ford Escort RS Turbos and similar, had been sold or disposed of by their last legitimate keepers for scrap value.
They used altered photos and false plates on genuine high-value RS Turbos under their control to create the impression the vehicles were in good condition.
The scammers would then use fake sales invoices and fraudulently obtained MOT certificates to insure the vehicles for a high Agreed Value policy.
They would get insurance in place, wait several months and then submit bogus theft reports – resulting in significant payouts.
A police investigation was triggered after suspicions were raised, which led to the Crown Prosecution Service agreeing to a total of 42 charges against 19 people, who were all convicted of fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud.
Among those with significant prison sentences was 52-year-old Jason Sallis of Blondvil Street in Coventry, who was convicted of eight counts of fraud and sentenced to 36 months in prison.
Amandeep Gill, 35 of Corbison Close in Warwick, was jailed for 32 months after being convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud
DC Alison Roberts said: “This was an elaborate scheme and for those eight years, those involved were enjoying payouts courtesy of everyone who pays for car insurance.
“It is a shame that law-abiding citizens have to pay out more on their insurance premiums because the likes of Sallis, Gill and their associates were willing to work together to create fictitious claims.
“I hope this sentence serves as a warning to others involved in these sorts of scams.
“Those involved in frauds like this should be under no illusion that they could face a custodial sentence, a criminal record and having to pay back what they have taken.”
