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Death insurance scam trio jailed | Death insurance scam trio jailed |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Three students who admitted faking the deaths of two women in a £125,000 insurance scam have been jailed for a total of four years. | Three students who admitted faking the deaths of two women in a £125,000 insurance scam have been jailed for a total of four years. |
James Gargett, 21, John Gilbert, 23, and Chris Smith, 21, all from Glasgow, admitted fraud and were each sentenced to 16 months in prison. | James Gargett, 21, John Gilbert, 23, and Chris Smith, 21, all from Glasgow, admitted fraud and were each sentenced to 16 months in prison. |
They were caught when the husband of one of the women they claimed had died contacted the insurance firm. | They were caught when the husband of one of the women they claimed had died contacted the insurance firm. |
The court heard none of the money stolen was recovered. | The court heard none of the money stolen was recovered. |
Most of it was spent on a pub in the south of England, which subsequently failed. | Most of it was spent on a pub in the south of England, which subsequently failed. |
Sheriff Deirdre MacNeill QC said: "You are fine young men and the tragedy is the sentence that has to be passed." | |
The trio downloaded death certificates from the internet and penned fake lawyers' letters. | The trio downloaded death certificates from the internet and penned fake lawyers' letters. |
Gargett used his position as a part-time broker with Scottish Provident to rubber stamp the claims. | Gargett used his position as a part-time broker with Scottish Provident to rubber stamp the claims. |
Bank account | Bank account |
Within three weeks of starting, on 1 November 2004, Gargett teamed up with Gilbert. | Within three weeks of starting, on 1 November 2004, Gargett teamed up with Gilbert. |
They alleged that a client called Jacqueline Gilbert had died. | They alleged that a client called Jacqueline Gilbert had died. |
A total of £30,503 was paid into John Gilbert's bank account. | A total of £30,503 was paid into John Gilbert's bank account. |
On 10 December 2004, Gargett and Smith claimed a client named Elizabeth Taplin had died. | On 10 December 2004, Gargett and Smith claimed a client named Elizabeth Taplin had died. |
The claim was cashed and £95,332 was paid into Smith's account. | The claim was cashed and £95,332 was paid into Smith's account. |
The trio were caught when Jacqueline Gilbert's husband John called the insurance company. | The trio were caught when Jacqueline Gilbert's husband John called the insurance company. |