Highland property developer jailed for attempted fraud
Police Scotland are welcoming the sentencing
A man who tried to fraudulently obtain £400,000 from an international insurance company has been sentenced to 13 months in prison.
Michael Maggs was sentenced at Inverness Sheriff Court today after previously pleading guilty to attempted fraud.
In order to get insurance cover for three properties he was working on near Nairn, he claimed the site they were situated on was well secured with fencing, CCTV and that he was living there.
This was later found not to be the case.
A fire in 2017 which completely destroyed two of the Moyness homes was proven to have been started deliberately.
Following what Police say was a lengthy and complex fraud enquiry, 52-year-old Maggs was then charged with insurance fraud in connection to the fire in October 2018.
Detective Inspector Reuben Lindsay said: "Maggs wove a tangled tale in order to obtain insurance for the buildings he was developing. He was economical with the truth, and has now pled guilty to causing the fire and deliberately trying to obtain a large insurance payment fraudulently.
“People like Maggs will not be allowed to get away with such fraud and I welcome his sentencing. No matter how long it takes, we will always work to bring those responsible for fraud to justice.”
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Area Commander, Michael Humphreys, the Local Senior Officer for Highland, said: "The consequences of deliberate fire-setting can be devastating. Fires have the potential to cause serious injury or death, as well as extensive damage to properties and our environment.
"They are also a needless drain on emergency service resources. We continue to work with police and other partners to identify those responsible for these acts."
Jon Radford, Head of Intelligence, Investigations and Data Services at the Insurance Fraud Bureau, said: "Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. It costs everyone and can even put innocent people at risk.
"We're pleased that our collaboration with Police Scotland and SFRS has helped to bring Maggs to justice."