Fraudster tried to claim £100,000 compensation for fake injuries caught on camera using wheelchair he didn't need
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A fraudster has been jailed after he tried to make £100,000 in dodgy insurance claims, after undercover officers found him exaggerating crash injuries.
Mohammed Taj claimed he had been left permanently disabled in a bus crash in Pakistan.
But he was caught by investigators walking unaided and driving a car, even swapping seats with his wife a few miles from a medical appointment and was pushed around in a wheelchair he didn't need.
Taj, 46, from Alum Rock, Birmingham had been on a bus when it crashed with a lorry, killing several people in October 2011.
He received a number of injuries that required hospital treatment in Pakistan and back in the UK.
Having taken out a Disabling Injuries Protection Plan in September 1998, with the American Insurance Group (AIG), Taj made a claim against this plan in February 2012.
(Image: BPM MEDIA)
(Image: Handout)
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He had previously submitted several accident claims and AIG launched an investigation.
As part of the investigation AIG arranged for Taj to attend an independent medical examination in February 2013 and hired a private investigation company to carry out surveillance on Taj when he attended this appointment.
The medical examiner compiled a report detailing numerous injuries including dislocations, fractures and facial injuries and Taj claimed he needed a wheelchair and two crutches to remain mobile.
However, CCTV footage obtained from surveillance, showed that Taj had driven to the medical appointment but had stopped a short distance from the destination to swap places with Zaman.
After the appointment, Taj was pushed back to the car in a wheelchair where he got up with the use of crutches, got into the driver’s side of the car and drove away.
(Image: City of London Police/BPM MEDIA)
(Image: City of London Police/BPM MEDIA)
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Taj later claimed he attended his medical appointment using a wheelchair, was helped into a specialist taxi for the disabled and also claimed that he had been unable to drive since the collision in 2011.
AIG referred the case to IFED in March 2014 and during a search of his home police discovered documents that showed Taj had made a further insurance claim with a second insurance company totalling £22,500 for permanent total disability.
Detectives from the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) discovered that Taj had grossly exaggerated an injury claim, in a bid to claim an £80,000 payout for injuries he suffered in the crash in 2011.
During searches of the couple’s home police subsequently discovered a second claim for permanent disability, which related to the same crash and had paid out more than £20,000.
The second insurance company was supplied with a copy of the surveillance following Taj’s arrest and confirmed that, had it been made aware of the footage prior to settling Taj’s claim, it would have rejected it.
(Image: Handout)
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Taj was found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court of fraud by false representation and conspiracy to commit fraud and was jailed for three years.
His wife Shanaz Zaman, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud, the Birmingham Mail reports.
She was handed a 12-month suspended sentence and a 20-hour rehabilitation order.
City of London Police Detective Sergeant Mohammed Darr, who led the investigation for IFED, said: “Taj was determined to take advantage of the insurance industry by making two false claims.
“However, due to the hard work of our officers and the co-operation of the insurance companies, his cunning attempts to deceive medical professionals were ultimately unsuccessful.
"His actions have resulted in his conviction and sentencing here today which sends out a clear message that insurance fraud will not be tolerated.”
(Image: Handout)
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David Halstead, Fraud Manager at AIG added: “Whilst we are pleased to have prevented Taj from defrauding AIG, this is another sad example of someone’s greed getting the better of them.
"Had Taj been honest and truthful, it’s likely he would have received some compensation.
“Instead, he chose to lie to us and the medical experts who were trying to help him.
"As a result, he has ended up with no money and a criminal record. This should serve as a lesson to anyone tempted to commit this type of fraud in the future.”