Sickie Mechanic's Double Insurance Scam Ruined By Honest Son

An insurance fraudster, who was exposed claiming nearly £17,000 in unemployment mortgage and salary cover, when his son told investigators: “My dad's at work,” has been sentenced.

Mechanic Anwar Dadabhoy, 47, of Lakeside Avenue, Ilford, was recorded by an undercover surveillance team running a local car repair business while pocketing compensation from two insurance companies.

He was even watched driving away from his home early in the morning in a car adorned with his firm's livery.

The first-time offender appeared at the Old Bailey after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation between August 16, 2011 and March 2, last year in relation to £8,885 in mortgage protection insurance paid by Aviva.

He also pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation between August 14, 2011 and June 10, last year in relation to £6,110 in employment insurance paid by AGEAS.

Dadabhoy was sentenced at a twelve month community order, which includes 120 hours community service work.

He put in claims on both policies, declaring he had become unemployed on August 13, 2011.

From time to time checks were made and on January the eighth, last year a call was made to the defendant's home and the person who answered said they were Mr. Dadabhoy's son and that he was at work.

The next day the defendant tried to dig himself out of trouble by contacting his insurers.

He said his son was not well and that he had been out at the Jobcentre the previous day.

A surveillance operation was mounted, which recorded Dadabhoy regularly leaving for work at 8am in a Smart car adorned with a AD Motors advertising.

He was seen working on vehicles and wearing latex gloves and gave an undercover investigator his business car and a quote to inspect a vehicle.

He was seen dealing hands-on with inspections and repairs even though he declared he was still unemployed and had not taken on work.

He later said he was suffering with depression and was doing voluntary work at his son's garage.

Dadabhoy was questioned at home on July 4, last year and admitted he was the sole owner of AD Motors, but had ceased trading on April 27 due to lack of custom.

He agreed to repay his insurers at the rate of £50 per month and has paid £200 so far.

The insurers also incurred additional costs of £2,941 in surveillance and investigation charges and a confiscation order was sought.

Dadabhoy was also ordered to pay compensation within seven days.