Ghost broker suspect's home stormed by police

A suspected ghost broker has been arrested in a raid at his Bradford home by City of London Police probing insurance fraud.

Officers from the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) have been investigating complaints that a bogus insurance broker was operating in Bradford, offering drivers cheap premiums.

Detective Constable Steve Kelly, of the IFED, said the arrested man, 31, was suspected of portraying himself as a legitimate broker who could obtain cheap premiums.

Insurance policies were obtained by providing the insurance company with forged documentation and false details in order to reduce the premiums.

Victims were then charged more than the actual cost of the premium and also made to pay a handling fee.

The man was arrested at his home in the Great Horton area on suspicion of fraud by false representation relating to the inception of 47 motor insurance policies.

Officers said the investigation was continuing and the suspect remained on police bail.

Since the IFED was formed in January, detectives have made a series of arrests across the UK.

Det Con Kelly said: “In a short space of time, IFED has sent out a clear message that insurance fraud in all its forms will not be tolerated, wherever it has been committed. IFED making an arrest in Bradford is evidence of how committed we are to changing this culture.”