A Liverpool man has been convicted of fraud by false representation after fraudulently claiming more than 31,000 from multiple insurers by repeatedly reporting dogs as dead, following an investigation by the City of London Police's Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department.
Robert Daniel Cretu was found guilty in connection with 30 separate fraudulent pet insurance claims.
He repeatedly took out pet insurance policies before submitting fabricated claims alleging the insured dogs had died, using almost identical circumstances in more than 30 cases -- a dog startled on a walk, slipping its lead, running into the road and being fatally struck by a vehicle.
In other claims he alleged a dog had chased a seagull off a pier, fallen into the sea and later washed up on a beach. Investigators found a range of falsified documents supporting the claims, including fake veterinary records, altered pet medical histories, cremation paperwork and fabricated bank statements.
The insurers affected included Allianz, Markerstudy Retail, Admiral and Pinnacle.
Cretu pleaded guilty to five charges relating to the 30 fraudulent claims and was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to 20 months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. The court heard that while he successfully obtained more than 31,000, the total value of attempted fraud was significantly higher,...
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