One of the organisers of a massive identity theft scam targeting an insurance company’s customers was jailed for four-and-a-half years today.

Carlos Ferreira, of Rookery Crescent, Cliffe, was sentenced to a further 16 months for laundering a £91,000 cheque stolen from a solicitor.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how customers of Norwich Union Life and Pensions were targeted and the value of policies were stolen with alarming ease.

The fraudsters were able to obtain confidential details about clients, enabling them to contact the company’s call centre, control policies and authorise their surrender.

Accounts were then opened at the Halifax Bank in policy holders’ names using false addresses. Bogus passports were used as verification.

Allister Walker, prosecuting, said requests were eventually made for the surrender of the policies.

Ferreira, 42, who organised the scam for a “shadowy hierarchy”, admitted conspiracy to acquire criminal property, possessing false indentification documents and money laundering.

Mr Walker said about £500,000 of £750,000 stolen from 23 policies was paid into Halifax accounts and around £250,000 was withdrawn.

Some of the cash was withdrawn from Halifax branches in Gravesend and Dartford, £15,000 at each.

Ferreira, he said, represented the senior hierarchy on the ground and was the link to opening bank accounts and recruiting others to withdraw cash.

He was arrested with others after police surveillance in September and October 2006. Ferreira, married with four children, said he was a heavy gambler and became involved because he being threatened by those he owed £40,000.

Louise Oakley, defending, said Ferreira had hoped to become a professional footballer but suffered knee problems. He then descended into crime and drug and gambling addiction