A FRAUDSTER bought damaged down and broken vehicles to make use of in phoney insurance coverage claims in a bid to attempt to rip-off about £25,000.
Michael Smith, 47, claimed he had been concerned in a automotive crash, then stated the identical automobile had been stolen from exterior of his dwelling, then made one other false declare involving a separate automobile.
He additionally took out a three-day automotive insurance coverage coverage for a Toyota Rav-4 within the identify of Michael Gold in September 2019.
On the final day of the coverage, Smith known as the insurer to report he had been concerned in a crash earlier that day close to Chelmsford, Essex – round 30 miles from his dwelling in Wooden Inexperienced, north London.
He claimed his automobile skidded within the rain and hit a tree, inflicting main harm to the entrance of the automotive – leaving him with a nosebleed and headache.
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The automotive was picked up by a automobile restoration firm on the identical day and brought into storage.
Smith amended a separate current coverage he held with Aviva to cowl the identical Toyota Rav-4, then two days later, Smith known as Aviva to report the automotive had been stolen in a single day from exterior his dwelling.
Throughout this name he confirmed he purchased the automotive on the day he amended his coverage.
Investigators then found a automotive public sale firm was already storing a Toyota Rav-4 with the identical quantity plate over a declare with one other insurer.
When the insurance coverage agency went to the storage website the place the automotive had been held for 3 months, it was confirmed it was the identical automobile, so couldn’t have been stolen from Smith’s dwelling.
Dupe – fraud cops raided Smith’s dwelling
When fraud cops raided Smith’s dwelling they found proof displaying the automotive within the names of each Michael Smith and Michael Gold.
The automobile restoration firm instructed police the Toyota Rav-4 had rust, harm and cobwebs after they collected it, whereas the workers member who collected the automobile additionally stated the automotive’s battery was lifeless.
Investigators traced the possession of the automotive, which revealed it had been purchased from a salvage automotive supplier in a broken state on the day Smith claimed it was concerned in a crash.
The letting firm confirmed they by no means bought vehicles and the headed receipt Smith produced was faux.
Round a month earlier than the crash declare, Smith amended his coverage to cowl a Mercedes-Benz, then contacted Aviva the following day to report it had been in a crash whereas driving to get an MOT.
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He stated a automobile in entrance of him had indicated to show however carried on driving straight forward, inflicting Smith to swerve and collide with a big stone within the course of.
There was main harm to the automobile and the airbags had been deployed, he stated.
Smith gave Aviva proof of buy for the Mercedes from the identical lettings firm he would later declare to have purchased the Toyota Rav-4 from.
Officers regarded into the historical past of the Mercedes and found the automotive had been broken in a collision in Could 2019, with dashcam footage to show this.
The automobile was then handed onto a salvage automotive supplier and acquired by Smith already broken 4 days earlier than the alleged crash.
Checks with the DVLA additionally revealed the identify on Smith’s driving document had been modified 5 instances.
On the Outdated Bailey on Wednesday, Smith was jailed for 2 years, suspended for 18 months and ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work and to pay £6,318.78 in compensation and prices.
He pleaded responsible to 3 counts of fraud by false illustration in June at Westminster Magistrates Court docket.
