Three members of the same family have been sentenced for their role in an insurance fraud scheme, involving fake motor insurance being sold to the public, in an act known as Ghost Broking.

The outcome follows an investigation led by City of London Police's Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), supported by the IFB and its members.

Ilyas Rauf pocketed £61,763 between August 2016 to January 2020 from these sales and was later found to have shared £11,977 of these illegal earnings with his son, Amer Ilyas. 

Footage found during the police investigation discovered that Ziaed Rauf, who is Ilyas Rauf's brother, removed two computers from his brother's office, after Ilyas had made him aware that officers were due to execute a search warrant. 

They were sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on 6 June 2025 as follows:

• Ilyas Rauf, 51, of Normanton Road, Leicester, was sentenced to 21 months in prison. He pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation, breaching the Financial Services and Markets Act and transferring criminal property.
• Amer Ilyas, 28, of Normanton Road, Leicester, was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. He pleaded guilty to money laundering offences.
• Ziaed Rauf, 47, of Thurnview Road, Leicester, was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work. He pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.

John Davies, Intelligence and Investigations Manager at the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), said:

“Ilyas Rauf exploited innocent members of the public, pocketing tens of thousands of pounds by selling sham car insurance that left devastated victims uninsured and out of pocket. Shockingly, his fraudulent activity was also supported by his own brother and son.

“We're pleased justice has been served against this family for the role they all played in this reckless fraud scheme. ‘Ghost broking’ remains a serious threat, and we continue to work closely with police and insurers to protect consumers. We encourage anyone with evidence of insurance fraud to report it to our confidential CheatLine.”

Following sentencing, IFED’s financial investigators are undertaking an investigation to identify the full amount of illegal funds Ilyas and Amer may have obtained. Confiscation proceedings will seek to recover the proceeds of crime. 

The case was first referred to IFED by the IFB, after it linked Ilyas to a total of 52 fraudulent motor insurance policies, taken out with four insurers.

Ilyas charged vicitms a fee between £200 and £300 to set up low-cost insurance, which was taken out with forged documentation. Once the policies were identified as fraudulent, they were invalidated and cancelled by the insurers. 

IFED officers executed a search warrant at Ilyas' and Amer's properties. As keys had not been provided to Ilyas' office, officers forced entry and seized a CCTV recorder. 

Examination of CCTV footage found Ziaed had entered Ilyas' ofice while IFED officers were searching Amer's property, and that he had unseccesfully attempted to cover a CCTV camera with a glove, before removing two computer towers. It was found that four phone calls had taken place between Ilyas and Ziaed shortly before this incident. 

Police searches at Amer and Ilyas’ addresses uncovered two computers and a phone belonging to Amer. 

Analysis showed Amer had discussed insurance with at least 31 contacts from October 2015 to March 2021, often stating that Ilyas handled policies. If a quote was agreed, Amer directed contacts to Ilyas’ office or requested bank card photos for payment.

A computer seized from Ilyas' office also contained insurance-related documents. 

Investigators found Ilyas made £61,763 from fraudulent activity between 2016 and 2020, and reported earnings of only £27,366 to to HMRC for this period. In questioning, Amer claimed he didn’t recall receiving money from his Dad Ilyas or what it was for.

Find out more about this case at City of London Police's news centre.

Evidence of insurance fraud can be reported to the IFB's CheatLine online or via a phoneline (powered by CrimeStoppers) at 0800 422 0421.