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Taxi driver claimed dog died while chasing seagull before 31K scam unravelled

Robert Cretu, 40, took out dozens of insurance policies for fictional pets he claimed had been killed in tragic accidents - including one dog which supposedly died while chasing a seagull

[Robert Cretu outside Liverpool Crown Court]

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Robert Cretu outside Liverpool Crown Court(Image: Liverpool Echo)

A taxi driver lied that his dog died while chasing a seagull in a bizarre 31,700 insurance scam involving pets that never existed.

Robert Cretu took out dozens of insurance policies for fictional pets before claiming they had been killed in a series of tragic accidents.

The 40-year-old was reportedly struggling financially after his taxi had repeatedly broken down.

He made up increasingly bizarre stories to support his claims, including one incident involving a dog that had supposedly been struck by a lorry during a trip to the Lake District, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Monday that the conman had made a total of 30 false claims to five different insurers relating to fictitious dogs supposedly being killed, "usually by being hit by a car".

Cretu, of Lapwing Road in Kirkby, submitted false documents and veterinary notes as part of the scam, which ran from December 2023 to August 2025 - and saw him pocket a total of 31,700.

[Robert Cretu outside Liverpool Crown Court]

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Cretu admitted five counts of fraud by false representation(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Sarah Egan, prosecuting, told the court that most of the insurance policies had been taken out using fake names, with the payments also being made into bank accounts under the names of others.

Eight of these were made to Pinnacle Pets UK, including one which alleged a dog called Lola had died after being hit by a lorry in the Lake District. The fake claim earned Cretu 1,100 in March 2024.

The defendant also falsely reported to several of the insurers that another pet, named Leo, had fallen into the sea from Blackpool Pier while chasing a seagull.

Some claims did not result in payment after suspicions were raised over fraudulent activity, while other claims were deemed invalid or not ultimately completed.

One, involving an apparently deceased Doberman, was meanwhile rejected due to "excessive costs" and a lack of confirmation that a supposed cremation had taken place.

Cretu, who has no previous convictions, confessed to his crimes when interviewed by detectives and "said the money had been spent on family finances".

Sarah Griffin, defending, told the court the "sole breadwinner" had very low income from previous delivery jobs and had bought a taxi that he said "broke down multiple times."

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The case was heard at Liverpool Crown Court(Image: Liverpool Echo)

She added: "It sounds as though it has been a combination of factors. He is still in work. He has remained out of trouble since September of 2025. There is clearly a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

"He is an otherwise hard working man. He was a factory supervisor for many years and is now a taxi driver. Importantly, he is the sole provider for his family.

"His partner is not in work, but has a 10-year-old child. The defendant plays a full role as a father figure. He is very involved in the 10-year-old's life. He is very concerned about the impact both on his partner and his partner's child.

"The house is mortgaged in his partner's name, but he is the sole income. He is concerned that his partner and son may lose their home. He intends to pay the relevant insurers back from his income."

Cretu admitted five counts of fraud by false representation. Appearing in the dock wearing a khaki green long sleeved shirt, he was handed a 20-month imprisonment suspended for 18 months with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days.

Judge Gary Woodhall said Cretu had obtained fraudulent insurance policies and made repeated claims over a prolonged period.

He said the defendant had given "differing accounts how the money been spent," describing his explanation as "inconsistent" and a way to "explain away your repeated and prolonged activity".

The judge said the total actual loss was 31,700, although the intended loss was much higher, with Cretu found to have made further claims that were unsuccessful.

He said the number of offences and length of offending could have justified immediate custody, but he was "just about persuaded" to suspend the prison sentence because of Cretu's remorse, his admissions from the outset and the fact that immediate custody "will substantially affect others".

Judge Woodhall told the defendant: "You are of previous good character. You were born in Romania and were provided settled status in this country in 2019. You say that you were struggling financially. You have expressed remorse.

"On balance, given the potential impact on others and the loss of employment that would flow from an immediate custodial sentence, I am just persuaded that this is a case where it is appropriate to suspend this sentence of imprisonment."

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