Fraudsters jailed

A group of fraudsters has been sentenced for setting up a company which sold made-up personal injury claims to no win, no fee solicitor firms.

Operating out of Manchester, the group, which comprised six individuals, sold "information" about potential car crash claims to no win, no fee solicitor firms.

However, after selling on the details for around £600, the fraudsters would then disappear.

"The full extent of the damage caused by the bogus enterprise is not known, as not all of the law firms affected have come forward," said a police spokesperson.

He added, "Furthermore, we do not know how much time was wasted by solicitors working on these completely fictitious cases. Even though its sole purpose was to fraudulently make money, this company operated like a legitimate business.

"The defendants each had their own roles and responsibilities. They each had extensive knowledge of the personal claims industry, which helped them completely exploit it.

In all, it is thought that around 20 no win, no fee solicitor firms were targeted, with the group defrauding them of around £150,000.

The police were eager to point out that "the vast majority of claims management companies are legitimate and genuine, and have a well-earned reputation with the solicitors and claimants they work with."

The fraudsters received sentences ranging from 12 to 30 months in jail.