Loss assessor and his gang jailed after AXA and Zurich scam

A Liverpool loss assessor and his fraud gang that tried to scam Zurich and AXA were jailed yesterday at Liverpool Crown Court.

Anglo Assessors director Martin Bookey, 52, was given 18 months in prison by judge Teague QC after being found guilty of four counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

Zurich customer Alex Shaw was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. AXA customers Ross Smith and Alex Smith were also each found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. Shaw was sentenced to six months in prison, while Ross and Alex Smith each got a nine-month sentence. All four had pleaded not guilty.

Bookey tried to con Zurich out of tens of thousands of pounds by exaggerating two property claims caused by water damage, fire and theft. He had made several calls to Zurich’s claims department pretending to be two separate claimants, but the insurer’s claims staff suspected wrongdoing. Zurich’s claims team then worked with Merseyside Police to gather evidence on the gang.

Speaking after the case, Zurich claims fraud and investigations manager Scott Clayton said: “Following a five week trial, our zero tolerance approach to fraud was vindicated when Bookey and three other policyholders were sentenced to prison. 

“The judge described Mr Bookey as the prime mover in this conspiracy and today’s sentencing reflects the seriousness of this crime, which has increased dramatically in recent years.”

AXA UK head of fraud Richard Davies said: “We welcome the guilty verdicts handed down to Martin Bookey and his co-defendants which sends a clear message that as an industry, we are not only prepared to fight fraud but will get results. The conviction of Martin Bookey is a clear message to professionals that there are serious consequences in supporting insurance fraud in any way.

“This is the perfect example of what the industry can achieve when it collaborates to fight fraud – in this case multiple insurers and their supply chain – and it really is the only way to effectively tackle the issue.”

The four guilty men were arrested in February 2011 and appeared in Liverpool City Magistrates court on May 31 last year.