A FAMILY who claimed thousand of pounds in fake insurance claims have now been ordered to pay back a total of over £278,000.
In August, 2010, 30-year-old Nadeem Dad and his brother 27-year-old Amer Dad, both of Barkerhouse Road, Nelson, were each sentenced to 15 months imprisonment after being found guilty of money laundering and fraud following a four-week trial at Burnley Crown Court.
During a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Burnley Crown Court on Wednesday, it was judged that Nadeem Dad had benefited by £163,756.58 as a result of his criminal activity. A confiscation order was set for the £51,846.33 of his available assets and he was ordered to pay this within six months or face a further 18 months in prison.
If it becomes apparent Nadeem Dad has other assets available in the future, these can also be confiscated until the total of his criminal benefit is realised.
The confiscation order follows similar proceedings against Nadeem Dad’s brother and father earlier in the year. Amer Dad was ordered to pay £66,666 following a Proceeds of Crime hearing in April.
Their father Munsif Dad (62), of Barkerhouse Road, was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he was found guilty of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud. He appeared at Preston Crown Court in August where he was ordered to repay £161,331.87.
The family plotted to cheat insurance companies out of cash by submitting dozens of fake household, pet and motor claims.
They were arrested after an investigation by Lancashire Constabulary and the Insurance Fraud Bureau where it was discovered the claims were linked by common bank details, false supplier names, similar wording on invoices supplied to the insurers and details around the loss. The scam required the gang to report false incidents not only to insurers but in some instances also to the police.
DI Dave Groombridge, from Lancashire Police, said: “Fraudulent claims hit the pockets of the decent law abiding public, with every resident, motorist and trader facing increased premiums to compensate for the greed of these criminals.
“POCA seizures allow us to take back cash from offenders which they have amassed through their criminal behaviour. Nadeem Dad not only received a custodial prison sentence, but he has also had to face the consequences of his actions by repaying a significant amount of his ill gotten gains. I hope this sends out a warning, if we find you with cash that you cannot account for, you will be targeted.”