Specialist motor insurance loss adjuster Claims Management & Adjusting (CMA), part of the QuestGates Group, has praised Essex Police after a 43 year old man from Romford admitted fraud by false representation in relation to a crashed BMW.
Image: CMA
Essex Police had already found the sporty blue BMW M235i, crashed into a tree and abandoned, when the man falsely reported it as stolen. Initially taking him at his word, they issued a crime reference number. Unfortunately for the crook, the insurer was a CMA client. His claim was automatically referred for analysis and flagged as suspicious. Further investigation confirmed fraud not theft. When presented with CMA’s evidence, the man confessed to an offence under the Fraud Act 2006.
He appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on 14 October 2024, where, due to a guilty plea and “strong personal mitigation”, his 12-week prison sentence was suspended. He must, however, undertake rehabilitation activity and pay £1,159.45 to insurers in compensation.
Philip Swift
Philip Swift, a former police detective, now Technical Director at CMA, commented: “While the suspended custodial sentence is lenient in our opinion, we thank Essex Police for what is still a great result. This case is a perfect example of the modern insurance industry and law enforcement working in partnership. It is a sign of things to come and should serve as a warning to anyone contemplating making a spurious car insurance claim. A crime reference number is no longer your golden ticket to a guaranteed payout.
“Without revealing too much, there were aspects to this claim which immediately set alarm bells ringing. A keyless theft generally indicates professional criminal involvement, whereas wrapping the newly acquired asset around a tree suggested quite the opposite.
“Our unique methodology is partly still based on the 20-year-old Kent Police initiative, Project Igneous, which revealed that up to 30% of vehicle theft claims are likely dishonest in some way. Since joining QuestGates in January this year, CMA’s capacity has been turbocharged. On behalf of the UK insurance industry and honest motorists, we are identifying ever more suspicious claims, providing much-needed support for our overworked police forces.”
