Bradford ghost broker jailed for 12 months

A fraudster has been jailed for selling invalid car insurance to motorists in restaurants, internet cafes and by the roadside in Bradford.

Atique Khan posed as car insurance broker and, between August and December 2011, convinced almost 50 drivers he could get them cheaper premiums, when in reality he was conning them out of thousands of pounds.

Khan obtained real insurance policies from 1st Central Insurance, but provided the insurer with false personal details and forged no claims bonus documents in order to get the premiums at a cheaper price.

The 33-year-old charged drivers more than the premium actually cost to buy from 1st Central originally, plus a handling fee. The insurance was immediately invalid to the driver Khan sold it to because misinformation had been given to the insurer at point of sale.

The scam was exposed in January 2012 when 1st Central discovered all of the policies included identical email addresses. The insurer referred the case to the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), which launched a criminal investigation.

IFED subsequently identified that some of the policies were paid for with bank cards belonging to Khan.

Detectives arrested Khan at his house in Bradford in May. While there, they seized numerous insurance documents, £1,000 in cash, a computer, laptop, two iPads and several mobile phones.

A forensic examination of the electronic devices revealed forged no claims bonus documents.

During an appearance at the Old Bailey last month, Khan pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud by false representation, 14 counts of using a forged article and one count of possession of criminal property.

This morning Khan was jailed for 12 months.

DS Mark Forster, who led IFED’s investigation, said: “Khan devised a car insurance scam that saw him ruthlessly target members of his community to make thousands of pounds.

“He left his victims unknowingly out on the road with no insurance, exposing them and other drivers to risk and financial loss, but now the court has ensured he will pay the price for his fraud.”

Glen Marr, director of fraud at 1st Central commented: “1st Central is pleased that this ghost broker has been brought before the court, as yet another example of the excellent and successful collaborative work of IFED and the insurance industry, in rooting out and pursuing insurance fraudsters.

“At 1st Central we will continue to adopt an uncompromising stance with fraudsters, underlining our commitment to protecting genuine customers from the impact of fraud. This commitment extends to working closely with IFED, to ensure fraudsters face the repercussions of their dishonest actions”.