Victor Titov gets suspended sentence for insurance fraud

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Victor Titov received a two-year suspended sentence for fraud at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The proceedings were reported on 8 May 2024.

Titov, 48, pleaded guilty to three sample counts representing 14 charges of fraud, carried out between March 2015 and June 2017.

At a hearing on 8 May 2024, the court heard that Titov referred people from the Moldovan community to Egidijus Aleliunas, the main culprit in a false insurance scheme. Seven policyholders referred by Titov incurred losses of almost €7,000. Titov earned €50 for each referral and made between €500 and €700 over 18 to 24 months.

Detective Garda John Carey said the policies were legitimate but based on false information about drivers’ licences, employment details and no-claims bonuses. The court heard that Titov acted as an intermediary and did not himself carry out the functions of a ghost broker.

Dominic McGinn SC, defending, said Titov believed he was helping people obtain cheaper insurance but recognised in hindsight that it was not legitimate. McGinn claimed Titov had been defrauded by Aleliunas as much as the brokers and policyholders were.

Judge Martin Nolan said Titov must have known, or been reckless about, what Aleliunas was doing. He said Titov should have known Aleliunas was engaged in fraud, in which Titov participated. The judge also noted Titov’s work history and family responsibilities and said he was probably unlikely to reoffend.