Esure foils insurance scam using social network

Two men have been jailed today for 12 months and their families handed suspended sentences and community orders, after they admitted creating a fake car crash in an attempt to con £77,000 from Esure.

The con artists had submitted bogus claims to Esure – for damage to their vehicles and whiplash injuries – which were supported by medical reports.

But their scam was detected when the insurer discovered through a social media site that the two men, Kenneth Nash and Darren Gallimore, knew each other.

The City of London Police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), launched an investigation last January after receiving a referral from Esure.

Matt Gilham, head of financial crime at Esure, said: “Where we find evidence of fraud we will work with law enforcement agencies including IFED to get the perpetrators to court.

Sending out a message

“Convictions such as this are crucial in sending out a message to other would-be fraudsters who think they can make a quick buck from insurance fraud.”  

Back in 2011, Nash had reported that his Rover had crashed into the back of Gallimore’s BMW at a traffic light. However, a forensic examination of the two cars further revealed that they had not crashed into each other in the way they had said.

Nash’s partner at the time Victoria Taylor, her sister Clare Southall and her husband David Southall said they were in the Rover, while Gallimore’s wife Tracey and her brother Colin Davies said they were in the BMW.

Other than Victoria Taylor, who pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, the rest admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

At Liverpool Crown Court today, Clare Southall and husband David were each given a nine-month jail term, suspended for two years, while Nash’s partner Victoria was made the subject of a two-year community and supervision order.

Tracey Gallimore and Davies were handed nine-month jail terms, also suspended for two years.