THE moment a Huncoat councillor’s son was duped out of hundreds of pounds was aired on a national TV programme.

Maintenance worker Ashley Whittaker was ripped off for £1,500 when he bought a car insurance policy online – from a scam artist.

It wasn’t until six months later he realised he had been duped, and running the risk of penalty points and a stiff fine if he had been pulled over by police.

His plight was recently screened on Fake Britain, a primetime BBC show that highlights popular shams and cons.

The 20-year-old’s dad, Conservative councillor Nick Whittaker, spoke of his shock at finding out the truth.

He said: “We thought it was a good deal, and it was only a few hundred quid cheaper than the other policies.

“It wasn’t on a price comparison website, but some of the biggest companies aren’t, and it looked real.

“We have been told the documentation is so good, you could buy car tax at the Post Office with it, if that wasn’t all done online now.”

Ashley, who lives with his family in Vale Court and works for Senator International, asked his dad to call the company for a quote for one of his friends.

But after he struggled to get through, Coun Whittaker did some digging, only to realise the conman had been shut down by police.

Coun Whittaker said: “It was a guy down south. He ran the scam from home and even had a tape of an office environment he would play down the phone.

“There were a few people in Accrington who were caught out too, but they paid on credit cards so could claim it back.

“Ashley paid by standing order so he’s lost £1,500.”

The pair have since been filmed by a crew for another BBC programme, called Claimed and Shamed, which is due to air in the near future.