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Two fraudulent friends who claimed against Zurich and Allianz policyholders in ‘slip and trip’ and ‘cash for crash’ scams have each been handed two year suspended sentences.
Salina Seepersand received almost £40 000 from the insurers after claiming against her employer for a car crash in a company vehicle and against a shopping precinct after a fall. In both cases she claimed Jay Singh had witnessed the incidents.
In the first instance defendant Salina Seepersand, a lawyer for East Hertfordshire District Council made a claim against a shopping centre, who Allianz insured, after she alleged to have slipped on some stairs in 2004. The policyholder was found at fault for failing to dry the floor or provide sufficient signage to highlight the dangers.
Allianz defended the claim on the basis signs were correctly displayed but witness Jay Singh came forward, supporting the claimant’s allegations. The claim was subsequently settled for just under £30 000. DAC Beachcroft Solicitors represented Allianz in the claim.
In the second case Zurich received a motor claim from Seepersand who drove her BMW company car, insured by Zurich, into a stationary vehicle, damaging the vehicle.
Seepersand invented a secondary claim in which Singh drove into the back of her vehicle. Zurich initially paid out £7 000 but instructed DAC Beachcroft to investigate the matter.
The law firm found the defendants were involved in the 2004 claim. They were reported to Surrey Police and arrested. Seepersand received 12 months for the first incident and nine months for the second, suspended for two years and 40 hours community service. She will also have to repay £18 000 in the next 18 months.
Singh was handed eight months for the 2004 case and 12 months for the latter, which was also suspended for two years. The Crown will sell the car and credit the money to Zurich.
Scott Clayton, fraud investigations manager at Zurich said: “Cash for crash incidents are increasing and it’s a crime that affects all law abiding customers through increased premiums.
“Mrs Seepersand was a local government lawyer with experience of criminal law so really should have known better. We really want the message to get out that Zurich always looks to prosecute people who wilfully claim for things they aren’t entitled to, especially when “crashes” are staged. It’s simply not acceptable and you will be found out.”
Mihir Pandya, fraud manager at Allianz added: “This conviction sends out an important message to would-be insurance fraudsters. Ordinarily these crimes would carry a custodial sentence, had it not been for mitigating circumstances that had to be considered for both guilty parties.
“The case highlights just how vigilant the insurance industry now needs to be as fraudsters are no longer relying on one type of scam to cheat the system. “Allianz continues to take a zero-tolerance approach to perpetrators of fraud in order to protect honest policyholders.”
Medico Legal News Source: Post Online
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