Warwickshire men jailed over £225,000 classic car insurance fraud
A SCAM netted £225,000 in insurance payuts by fraudulently claiming high-value classic cars had been stolen.
The fraud took place from 2009 to 2017 and involved 21 claims for ‘stolen’ classics for between £10,000 and £25,000.
In reality the cars – mainly 1980s Ford Escort RS Turbos and similar – had been sold or scrapped by their last legitimate owners.
The defendants, who have been jailed, altered photos and created false number plates on genuine high-value RS Turbos under their control to create the impression that the vehicles were in good condition.
They also used fake sales invoices and fraudulently obtained MOT certificates to insure the vehicles.
After waiting several months, they then submit bogus theft reports – resulting in in the pay-outs.
However, suspicions were raised – triggering a police investigation which led to 42 charges against 19 defendants.
All 19 were convicted of fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud.
This included Jason Sallis, 52, of Blondvil Street, Coventry, who was convicted of eight counts of fraud and sentenced to 36 months in prison, and 35-year-old Amandeep Gill, of Corbison Close, Warwick, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud and sentenced to 32 months in prison.
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.”