Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED)
IFED warns of identity data theft risk in crash for cash escalation
The Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department has warned scammers are using ever more aggressive tactics in crash for cash fraud, with a growing threat of identity theft.
Serial ghost broker sentenced after ignoring repeated warnings from IFED
A man has been sentenced for his role as a ghost broker, despite numerous warnings from the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department.
FOI: FCA confirms meetings with Google, Meta and TikTok but ghost broking not discussed
The Financial Conduct Authority has held 11 meetings with Google, Meta and TikTok over the past three years, a Freedom of Information request by Insurance Age has revealed.
Less than 1-in-5 people aware of ghost brokers – Ageas
Just 1-in-10 adults aged 55+ had heard of ghost brokers, according to a poll by Ageas.
Interview: DCI Nik Jethwa, head of the insurance fraud department at the City of London Police
Detective Chief Inspector Nik Jethwa, head of the insurance fraud department at the City of London Police, tells Insurance Age why he is optimistic about the outlook for fighting insurance fraud, including ghost broking, with industry collaboration and…
City of London Police leads nationwide crackdown on ghost broking
The City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department has led a nationwide period of action targeting ghost brokers in a coordinated crackdown on insurance fraud.
Ghost broker jailed for fake car insurance fraud
A man has been jailed for illegally advertising his services as an insurance broker on Instagram.
Ghost broking cases jump nearly a quarter at Action Fraud in 2024
Action Fraud received 817 reports of ghost broking in 2024, a 24% increase on the previous year, the organisation has confirmed.
Motor leads the way as insurers detected 14% more fraudulent claims in 2023
Insurers detected £1.1bn worth of fraudulent claims last year, up 4% on 2022, according to the latest cross-industry figures.
Ghost broker handed two-year suspended prison sentence
A man who sold invalid insurance policies and tried to take out car insurance for himself by covering up his driving offences and using a fake no-claims discount certificate has been sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years.
How can the insurance industry bust ghost brokers for good?
With ghost broking a growing and persistent threat to the insurance industry, Rosie Simms asks whether technology is making the problem more prevalent – or easier for insurers to spot.
Ghost broker sentenced for £17,000 Instagram insurance scam
Wahidullah Usmani, 22, of Prayle Grove, Cricklewood, has been sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, for making £17,618 by selling invalid car insurance policies on Instagram.
IFB warns of increasing danger as ghost broking rises 6%
UK insurers reported a 6% rise in ghost broking activity on social media last year, according to the Insurance Fraud Bureau as it warned the threat of people being duped would continue to increase with the growth of financial strain.
Ex-insurance broker jailed for pocketing £46k from bouncy castle hire companies and amusement parks
A former insurance broker has been jailed for two years, after he stole £46,125 by editing a wholesale broker’s contracts to increase the cost of premiums paid by his clients, the City of London Police have confirmed.
Nine ghost broker actions in police counter-fraud Operation Henhouse
Police officers from the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department have served nine cease and desist notices over a two-week period to help tackle ghost brokers.
Ghost broker who targeted Sudanese community sentenced
The City of London Police have revealed a man who offered fraudulent motor insurance policies to Sudanese nationals living in the UK has been sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
Ex-broker among 10 arrested in police crackdown on commercial insurance fraud
Ten people have been arrested across the country, and 18 vehicles seized during a two-week police operation to tackle commercial insurance fraud.
Insurance scams totalling £1.1bn detected in 2022
The value of the average insurance fraud case rose by 20% to £15,000 in 2022, according to the Association of British Insurers.
Ghost broker sentenced after pocketing £302,000
A ghost broker who charged more than 900 motorists up to £300 each for fraudulent motor insurance policies has been sentenced.
Calls for tougher social media regulation amid ‘ghost broking’ explosion
An explosion in ‘ghost broking’ is fuelling policy fraud, leading to calls for tougher regulation on social media to protect vulnerable customers.
Experts warn that cost of living crisis could increase ghost broking cases
The sky-rocketing cost of living and the longer term economic effects of the pandemic could lead to an increase in ghost broking, experts have warned.