Lagos — Two British law students could be jailed for up to five years for an alleged insurance scam.

Shanti Andrews and Rebecca Turner, both 23, were arrested last week in Rio de Janeiro accused of attempting to defraud their insurance firm by claiming they had been robbed.

The two backpackers reported they,d had £1,300 of belongings taken from them while travelling on a Brazilian bus.

When police raided the hostel they were staying in, some of the items reported stolen were found in their lockers.

Renato Tonini, lawyer for the two women, said they,d made a mistake over which items had been stolen.

,,They were robbed and the police only found a few of the items that they reported stolen in the hostel,,, Tonini said.

Simone Headley, Andrews, mother, urged Brazil,s legal authorities to act with ,,fairness and leniency.,,

Andrews and Turner who were held in a crowded Rio de Janeiro police station cell were later granted bail.

It was only recently that a bridegroom was jailed for 12 months for attempted insurance fraud on his wedding day.

Andrew Singh, 26, was sentenced with his parents at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, United Kingdom, for making exaggerated insurance claims after wedding coaches booked to transport guests on his wedding day were involved in two collisions.

Graham Singh, 53, and Niramella Singh, 49, also received 12 month sentences.

The family had booked three coaches with Bury-based Hollins Travel for Andrew Singh,s wedding day in July 2004.

One coach was involved in a collision with a Toyota Celica on route to the wedding, whilst another collided with a wall at Chipping Village Hall car park.

Andrew and Graham Singh, along with 70 others, took legal action against Hollins, claiming injuries including whiplash.