by It was a nice little farmer until they were caught – now 16 men have been convicted in a £2 million fraud conspiracy. Porsches, Mercedes, and BMWs were all planted in an organized crime ring using fraudulent credit agreements based on stolen information. The five men from London who were at the heart of the fraud – who were shamed by the chief detective – have now been jailed for more than 15 years.
The swindle worked by giving some men fake identity documents, then setting up credit agreements with other people’s details. Once the credit was finalized with car dealers across the country, the men, known as ‘strikers’, used their fake identities to collect cars from various locations such as hotel car parks.
Between February 2020 and July 2022, 75 cars worth more than £2 million were stolen. Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Specialist Investigation Team worked with the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) and the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) on the investigation to work out how criminals across the country were carrying out the scheme.
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‘Shameless group of scammers’
Jon Radford, Head of Intelligence, Investigations and Data Services at the IFB, said: “We are pleased to see that justice has been served following one of our largest ever investigations into identity theft; in conjunction with Hertfordshire Police, NaVCIS and our member insurers.
“This group of shameless scammers have stolen the identities of hundreds of people to obtain fraudulent insurance policies, with no regard for the impact on victims, in an elaborate attempt to steal brand new cars through finance deals.
“Identity theft is a growing threat that results in real harm, as it facilitates a wide range of crimes. We urge the public to be vigilant and if anyone believes their personal information has been compromised due to insurance scam, report it to our confidential. Cheat Line.”
The sentences
The gang’s main offenders all pleaded guilty:
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Ammir Mukhtar, 26, of Pretoria Road North, Tottenham, four years 10 months for fraud by false representation
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Mukhtar Ibrahim, 26, of Holcombe Road, Tottenham, four years six months for fraud by false representation
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Emmanuel Dwamena, 36, of Cornworthy Road, Dagenham, two years and six months for motor vehicle theft
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Samad Miah, 28 of Yarmouth Crescent, Tottenham Hale, two years a month for fraud by false representation
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Sadiq Miah, 27, of Yarmouth Crescent, Tottenham Hale, 14 months for fraud by false representation.
All the ‘strikers’ pleaded guilty, apart from Abdalla:
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Mohammed Jeilani, 36, of Rycroft Way, Tottenham Hale, 28 months for fraud by false representation
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Leroy Gayle, 42, of Mayville Road, Leytonstone, disqualified from driving for 18 months suspended for two years and ordered to do 250 hours’ unpaid work for fraud and theft of a motor vehicle.
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Jamarl Lambert, 32 of Eternit Walk, Fulham, 24 months suspended for two years, with a six-month curfew order and disqualified from driving and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work for fraud and theft of a motor vehicle.
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Henry Galloway, 45, of Eldon Road, South Kensington, 24 months suspended for two years, rehabilitation activity requirement and five-month curfew for theft of a motor vehicle
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Eamon Hannigan, 52, of Dunbarrow, Edmonton, 24 months suspended for two years, rehabilitation activity requirement and five-month curfew for fraud and theft of motor vehicles
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Mekail Abdalla, 21, of no fixed address, 24 months suspended for 18 months and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work for fraud by false representation
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Martin Herbert, 53, of Yarmouth Crescent, Tottenham Hale, 14 months, suspended for 18 months for fraud by false representation
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Ahmed Omer Ali, 39, of Great Amwell Lane, Crouch End, one year and six months suspended for 18 months, with a six-month curfew and rehabilitation order for fraud by false representation
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James Layzell, 31, of Baker Avenue, Chelmsford, was jailed for 18 months for 13 months.
Two members of the gang, who organized the false MOT documentation, pleaded guilty and appeared at St Albans Crown Court on April 8:
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Gerado Ortiz, 31, of Como Street, Romford, was jailed for two years for 18 months for fraud by false representation.
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Hassan Kijenyi, 71, of Meanley Road, Manor Park, jailed for two years, suspended for 18 months, for fraud by false representation.
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Both men were also ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and placed under an electronically monitored curfew for six months.
‘Keep a paper trail’
Sharon Naughton, Head of NaVCIS, said: “This was a determined and sophisticated crime with multiple victims for each fraudulently obtained vehicle. Those whose details were initially stolen and used to illegally obtain vehicle finance, the garages, vehicle manufacturers and finance companies that were defrauded, and those to whom the cars were ultimately sold which was finally left out of pocket. when the vehicles were seized.
“We advise anyone buying a used car to make sure they have made every effort to ensure that the information given to you is accurate. Ask to see evidence of MOT certificates and service history and contact the garages concerned to confirm their authenticity. If the price is too good to be true, trust your instincts.
“Don’t pay cash if you are offered a discount, keep a paper trail. It is very difficult to detect that you have cloned stolen vehicles. If you buy and drive a stolen car, your insurance will not be valid and you will incur a loss without insurance. when the vehicle is seized.”
Is there a story or court case we should cover? Please email callum.cuddeford@reachplc.com or WhatsApp 07580255582
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