Man who claimed more than £30,000 from insurers for '30 phantom dog deaths' avoids jail
He pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to five charges of fraud against insurers.
An insurance fraudster falsely claimed his pet dog had been chased by a seagull and fallen into the sea and drowned, police have said.
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Robert Daniel Cretu made more than 30 bogus claims, worth a total of more than £30,000, alleging in many of them that his dog had slipped its lead and been killed after running in front of a vehicle.
Investigators uncovered falsified documents which Cretu, of Liverpool, supplied to support the claims, including fake veterinary records, altered pet medical histories, cremation paperwork and fabricated bank statements.
With the seagull incident, Cretu claimed his pet had later been washed up on a beach dead.
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On Thursday, he pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to five charges of fraud against insurers, which included Allianz, Markerstudy Retail, Admiral and Pinnacle, City of London Police said.
He was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
Detective Chief Inspector Nik Jethwa, of the City of London Police, said: “Cretu took advantage of multiple insurers for financial gain at a time that is often distressing for people who have lost a pet.
“He exploited the system for his own benefit but has ultimately paid the price for his actions.”