DLG and Markerstudy help expose ghost broker posing as law firm

A man has been sentenced for orchestrating a ghost broking scam involving the sale of fake motor insurance and the use of victims’ personal details to submit fraudulent claims for road accidents.

Inner London Crown Court delivered a 12-month prison sentence – suspended for 12 months – and an unpaid work order of 150 hours to Brent-based Saami Salami on 6 June 2025.

The 54-year-old had pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation at the Royal Courts of Justice on 27 January 2025.

The case was investigated by the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (Ifed), with support from the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), DAC Beachcroft, Direct Line Group (DLG) and Markerstudy.

Salami was found to have sold fake insurance policies to two members of the public. He then used the policyholders’ details to submit fraudulent claims, alleging these individuals had caused road traffic accidents.

John Davies, intelligence and investigations manager at the IFB, said: “This twist on ghost broking scams gives even more reason as to why the public must be vigilant of bogus motor insurance deals.

“Not only were [the] victims of this case left out of pocket and driving uninsured, but their details were used unknowingly in collisions that never happened.”

Davies urged members of the public to report suspected fraud to its confidential CheatLine service.

Salami’s sentencing

The joint investigation found that Salami had submitted false claims to Churchill Insurance – which is owned by Direct Line Group (DLG) – and Markerstudy.

These insurers raised concerns over inconsistencies in the claims, which were later confirmed as fraudulent after internal investigations, supported by law firm DAC Beachcroft.

Further enquiries found that Salami had impersonated a representative of law firm Nexus Solicitors, claiming he had been appointed to manage the claims. He also registered himself as the company’s director under the alias Martin Allen.

Detective constable Surinder Ram, from Ifed, said: “Salami had no regard for others when he tried to make fake claims against the insurance policies he had sold to his victims.

“What he didn’t realise is that fraudulent claims don’t go unnoticed. Thanks to the diligence of our industry partners, we were able to build a case and bring him to court.”

Salami was linked to the fraud through recorded calls and the phone number he used to contact insurers.

Stuart Stevens, head of counter fraud at DLG, added: “Fraud isn’t a victimless crime. Every dishonest claim drives up costs for honest policyholders and puts pressure on drivers through rising premiums.

“Our mission is clear – to relentlessly pursue fraudsters and protect the integrity of our industry.”