Ben Gurney of Surrey said that the film called “The day of the Jackal” inspired him. He said that he went to his local cemetery and searched the headstones to use a name. He was among many mortgage applicants who found it very essential to find a second or a third housemate in order to apply for a loan to buy a house.

He did this because the prices of property were very high. He further said that as three people were sharing the mortgage, the bank was more than ready to lend money.  This fact is confirmed by the figures from the Mortgage Fraud Investigation (MFI) squad. About 15 per cent of first time mortgage applicants include someone deceased. 

A wrong address and the name of a dead person is easy to use, as the application for a mortgage don’t requires details such as a National Insurance Number. MFI said that only those banks, which didn’t use the Post Office address files while checking the address, could be targeted. 

In the case of Ben Gurney, Agnes Garth was the name used on his mortgage application, and the address used was 147 Asylum Road, London SE15 2SQ. Since, they hadn’t paid for the PAF, they didn’t find out that the number 147 didn't exist. The bank was able to find out his deceit afterwards when more people applied for the same, Miss Garth.

It was thought that Ben, who was an unemployed computer operator, had boasted to his friends about his approach. As a result, they also cashed in on the opportunity not to be left behind in the property scramble. But, they didn’t do their research properly. A clerk, from the application recognized the name, Agnes Garth. The clerk did a thorough check when she got back from the office. MFL was called by her manager and Ben is due in the court.

Applications by dead people are not actually illegal under English Law, but the applicants must apply in person.