Police crack down on ghost broker who ignored official warnings

A south London man has been sentenced for ghost broking offences after repeatedly ignoring warnings from the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (Ifed).

Sheikh Tanvir Uddin, 22, of Kimpton Road, Southwark, was handed a 16-week prison sentence – suspended for 12 months – on 19 September 2025. He was also ordered to pay court costs and a victim surcharge.

Uddin first came to Ifed’s attention in April 2025, when officers issued him with a cease-and-desist notice after identifying him as operating as a ghost broker. Officers also gave him guidance on how to transition into a legitimate broking role.

Ghost broking involves individuals posing as legitimate insurance brokers to sell fake policies, leaving buyers without valid coverage and exposing them to severe financial repercussions.

Detective constable Vinny Baughan at Ifed said: “From the issuance of a cease-and-desist notice, formally instructing him to halt suspected fraudulent activity, through to the point of charge, he remained under scrutiny.

“While attempts were made to evade detection, our coordinated approach with industry partners ensured that his actions were identified and addressed. This case serves as a clear and unequivocal message – those who seek to defraud the system will be pursued.”

Case details

Despite the initial intervention, Uddin was arrested at his Camberwell home in May following referrals from insurer Allianz. He was suspected of fraud and money laundering but declined to provide an account when questioned.

After being released, Uddin resumed selling falsified motor insurance policies via WhatsApp, charging administrative fees of more than £200 and offering cover for upwards of £300 per month.

He was rearrested in August, pleaded guilty to two charges of providing false details to obtain an insurance policy and selling insurance without authorisation and was remanded ahead of sentencing.

The rise of ghost broking scams has become an issue, particularly through social media, where instances nearly doubled from 2023 to 2024, resulting in victims losing approximately £200,000.

Ben Fletcher, director of fraud at Allianz UK, said: “Insurance fraud is a serious problem that pushes up the cost of policies for honest consumers. This case highlights the value of insurers when it comes to combating fraud and the effectiveness of our partnerships with Ifed and other industry stakeholders.

”Potential fraudsters need to understand that if you try and commit fraud, you may end up with a criminal record.”