Teenage conman duped drivers out of thousands using £20 PDF editor

While still a schoolboy Azeem Hussain, of Broadway West, Walsall, posted free adverts on Gumtree.com for a bogus firm offering cheap car insurance.

He went on to accept payments from at least four people who were then sent fraudulent insurance certificates he had himself created using PDF editing software he bought for £19.99.

In total he received 41 payments totalling £5,592 during 2013 and had £16,338 washing through his account, said Phillip Beardwell, prosecuting.

The scam fell apart after one of his victim's was detected by police as having no insurance and another tried to make a claim following a crash.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court this week, Hussain, now 19, was sentenced to 12 months and was told he will serve at least half the term behind bars.

He had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by false representation.

Hussain's racket involved making fraudulent copies of a genuine car insurance certificate issued by legitimate firm Allianz Insurance to his brother.

Mr Beardwell, said: "You posed as a broker in an activity known as 'ghost brokering."

Three of Hussain's victims were duped after responding to the adverts on Gumtree.com, of which there were 42 in total, the court heard.

The fourth contacted Hussain after visiting Gocompare.com seeking cover for his Subaru Forester.

All four made payments to the teenager ranging from £100 to £1,220 between May and September, 2013.

One was subsequently stopped by police who had identified his Honda Civic as being uninsured.

Another victim – who thought he had insured himself and two family members – rang Hussain after his son crashed the family car.

Mr Beardwell, said: "He was told by Mr Hussain all was OK and would be sorted out. He received further reassurance by text.

"However, the victim contacted Allianz Insurance, whose branding was on the certificate, and was told it was fraudulent."

The police easily traced the scam back to Hussain via his bank account, despite his efforts to close the account once suspicions were raised.

Mr Beardwell added 18 people had been duped but only four could be linked solely to him.

The level of sophistication involved in the scheme was questioned by Makhan Singh, defending.

He said: "The Gumtree ads were completely free. When the money started coming in £100 at a time it was into his own account using his own name.

"Although it was over a few months there is a simplicity to it."

Recorder Peter Ievins disagreed with Mr Singh over the scam's complexity.

"For someone so young there is remarkable sophistication in this offence," he said.

"These offences not only impact on the victims in terms of higher premiums but also there is a financial impact on everyone."

A Proceeds of Crime hearing will take place on a future date.