Seven from Nelson ‘in plot to cheat insurers’

Burnley Crown Court was told how how during the alleged fraud, fake claims were submitted for car crashes, building and roofing work, and for several expensive, pedigree bull dogs which were said to have gone missing.

Munsif Dad, 60, Nadeem Dad, 28, and Amer Dad, 25, all of The Firs, Barkerhouse Road, Fiza Tariq, 21, of Manchester Road, Shazeen Khan, 27, of York Street, Majid Mahmood, 27, of Kensington Street, and Ricardas Oleskevicius, 30, of Fletcher Street, all Nelson, all deny conspiracy to defraud between March 2003 and December 2007 and money laundering.

Arthur Gibson, prosecuting, said 78 claims were examined and some were paid out and others withdrawn when insurers started to ask questions.

The prosecutor said a lot of claims were supported by forged invoices from firms police could find no trace of.

One invoice, said to be from a roofing company, gave a phone number which turned out to be a body piercing and tattoo shop.

The court heard how the forged invoices often had incorrect spellings in them and grammar was misused.

An address in Chapel Street, Nelson, first owned by Amer Dad, and subsequently put in joint ownership with Munsif Dad, was the subject of nine claims by five of the defendants, the court heard.

Mr Gibson said Munsif Dad claimed for new gates at The Firs after they were reported missing to police.

He got an estimate of £2,900 from North Valley Forge, a genuine company, but the insurance company paid out £2,925 to an M Mahmood, in Robert Street, Nelson.

Robert Street did not exist.

The prosecutor said Munsif Dad and Majid Mahmood both liked bulldogs, but the dogs they claimed to have bought went missing.

One allegedly cost £1,500.

The prosecutor said police checked with Pendle Council to find out if there had been any reports of nuisance, or noise, at the addresses.

Mr Gibson added: “There was nothing at all. Not even a little wuff.”

(Proceeding)