A taxi driver who fraudulently claimed his dog had perished while pursuing a seagull as part of an elaborate deception scheme has been sentenced. Robert Cretu, 40, established dozens of insurance policies for pets that didn't actually exist and submitted 30 bogus claims to five separate insurers concerning fictitious dogs purportedly being killed, "usually by being hit by a car".
Fraudulent claims over 21 months
Liverpool Crown Court was told on Monday, August 18, that the fraud continued between December 2023 and August 2025 and netted Cretu a total of £31,700. The defendant, of Lapwing Road in Kirkby, provided fraudulent documents and veterinary records as part of the con.
Sarah Egan, prosecuting, outlined how Cretu established the majority of these insurance policies using false identities, with the payouts also being transferred into bank accounts registered under other people's names. Eight of these claims were submitted to Pinnacle Pets UK, including one which resulted in him receiving £1,100 in March 2024 after alleging a dog called Lola had died after being hit by a lorry in the Lake District.
Fabricated accidents and rejected claims
Cretu also falsely claimed to several of the insurers that another pet, named Leo, had plunged into the sea from Blackpool Pier while pursuing a seagull. However, some claims did not result in payment after doubts were raised over fraudulent activity, while other claims were either not ultimately completed or deemed invalid. One, concerning an allegedly deceased Doberman, was turned down due to "excessive costs" and a lack of confirmation that a supposed subsequent cremation had actually occurred.
The fraudster, who was reportedly experiencing financial hardship due to his taxi constantly malfunctioning, admitted to his crimes when questioned by detectives and "said the money had been spent on family finances".
Defence and sentencing
Sarah Griffin, defending, told the court: "He is the sole bread winner." She added that he stopped working as a factory supervisor and had very low income from his delivery jobs, and that he bought a taxi which broke down multiple times. "It sounds as though it has been a combination of factors," she said.
Griffin also noted that Cretu has remained out of trouble since September 2025 and that there is "clearly a realistic prospect of rehabilitation". She described him as an otherwise hard-working man and a full role as a father figure to his partner's 10-year-old child, expressing concern that his partner and son may lose their home as the house is mortgaged in his partner's name but he is the sole income.
Cretu pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud by false representation. He received a 20-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months alongside a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days.
During sentencing, Judge Gary Woodhall stated: "You made multiple applications to those insurers. You essentially obtained fraudulent insurance policies from the outset, either with false details or in your own name." He noted that insurance companies have to invest heavily to stop such activity, which increases fees for everybody else.
The judge remarked on Cretu's previous good character, his Romanian origin and settled status in 2019, and his expressed remorse. However, he pointed out inconsistencies in Cretu's account: "You started working as a taxi driver in October 2024, and this offending started almost 12 months earlier. You have given differing accounts how the money been spent, whether on your taxi or on family finances."
Judge Woodhall concluded: "The total actual loss is £31,700. Further claims were unsuccessful. Your intended loss was greater than that which was actually sustained." He said he was "just about persuaded" that remorse, admissions from the outset, and no further offending allow for a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, and that immediate custody would substantially affect others. "You do not present a risk to anyone else," he added, deciding on balance to suspend the sentence due to the potential impact on others and the loss of employment that would flow from an immediate custodial sentence.
