19-year-old faked accident for insurance money

Jan 01, 2012 News

 
A 19-year- old man, who obtained money by faking documents that stated he was involved in a vehicular accident, was on Friday last fined by Magistrate Fazil Azeez.
Conroy Washington was found guilty after a two-year-long trial on a charge that he illegally obtained money from the Hand In Hand insurance company.
Washington, a resident of Lot 18 Church Street, Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara, was fined $150,000 on two charges –obtaining by false pretence and forgery.
The man had taken to the Hand In Hand insurance company false medical reports and accident sheets purporting to be from the police in an attempt to obtain $300,000, compensation money for the alleged accident.
According to reports, the accident claim had been handled by a person alleged to be Washington’s accomplice, as as such the man was successful in obtaining the money from the insurance company. This alleged accomplice is no longer employed at the insurance company.
Washington admitted to changing the cheque and to further receiving a portion of the money. The man claimed that although he changed the cheque it was the person whom he only knew by appearance, who asked him to sign certain documents and to change the cheque at the bank.
Washington claimed that he met the person at the creek and after being asked to sign some documents, he did so. He said that he again saw the man on the sea wall and was further asked of another favour. The man reportedly presented to Washington a cheque which was written in his name. Washington said he changed the cheque and was paid $20,000 for conducting the transaction. He gave the alleged accomplice the remaining $280,000.
It later transpired that there was no accident and the defendant had received no injuries from the alleged accident. Police accident reports had shown that no evidence of any such accidents had existed. It was also proven that the medical report was faked and the doctor who allegedly singed the medical did not exist.
The court heard that Washington had signed all the documents he presented to the company. A writing expert had testified that after analyzing all the documents, the signatures had originated from the defendant.
Washington was found guilty and fined with an alternative of two years imprisonment.