Hastings Direct and 1ST CENTRAL secure prison sentence for fraudster with 17 aliases

A man has been jailed for trying to defraud insurers Hastings Direct and 1ST CENTRAL by using a number of aliases.

The man was investigated by the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) after Hastings Direct and 1ST CENTRAL suspected that claims on car insurance policies he had submitted were fraudulent. 

He was sentenced to six months in prison on 14 February 2022 at Inner London Crown Court. He previously pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by false representation in August 2021.

The man used aliases including Mario Valentino, Jamail Caan and Carlos Doir to carry out a series of frauds against car insurers Hastings Direct and 1ST CENTRAL.

Criminal database checks linked him to 17 aliases, as well previous convictions in 2017 for similar offences in failing to disclose information to insurers with a view to gain.

Commenting on the case, Matthew Stevens, counter fraud director at Hastings Direct, said:   “Working closely with the City of London Police and other insurers is crucial in bringing fraudsters to justice, so that we can protect all innocent road users. I am delighted with the outcome in this case. Hastings Direct will continue to invest in leading edge technology to ensure we are at the forefront in the battle against fraud.”

Paul Priestley, counter fraud director at 1ST CENTRAL, added: “Fraud isn’t a victimless crime. We know it can have a serious impact on honest policyholders. That’s why we’ve invested significantly in our counter fraud capabilities over the last couple of years. We were pleased to help the authorities in catching this serial fraudster and will continue to do everything we can to protect our customers.”

Mark Dugdale