Multiple cash for crash fraudsters arrested in coordinated police raids

The City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (Ifed) executed five warrants across London this month as part of a targeted crackdown on a suspected crash for cash criminal group linked to moped garages.

The coordinated raids, carried out at two residential addresses and three garages in east and south London, led to the arrest of the primary suspect believed to be orchestrating the network. Officers seized digital devices suspected to contain evidence of multiple staged collisions.

The operation was supported by the Metropolitan Police Service’s Motorcycle Safety Team, the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement, the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

Ifed officers also recovered three confirmed stolen motorcycles from the premises, including one that had already been restored. Several other bikes identified by IFB were found to have been involved in staged accidents, which investigators said illustrated the scale of the suspected fraud.

Historically, there has been a rising trend of moped crash for cash fraud, which tends to involve scammers staging accidents to claim insurance compensation, mainly affecting innocent motorists and delivery drivers.

Ifed detective chief inspector Nik Jethwa said crash for cash activity presented a serious safety risk as well as a financial one.

“Crash for cash fraud isn’t just a financial crime – it’s a dangerous tactic that puts innocent people directly in harm’s way,” he said.

“These staged collisions can lead to real injuries or even fatalities and the criminals behind them show complete disregard for public safety in pursuit of illicit gain.

”The safety of the public comes first and there is no place to hide for those who seek to exploit and endanger others through insurance fraud”

Accountants disappearing act

A production order was also issued for the records of an accountant allegedly connected to the operation.

As part of the same action, Home Office Immigration Enforcement arrested two individuals who were subsequently detained.

Jethwa continued: “Disrupting this type of activity is a core focus of Ifed’s work. We remain relentless in pursuing offenders, working closely with our enforcement and industry partners to target these networks and bring those responsible to justice.

“This operation is a clear example of the power of joint working to dismantle organised fraud.”

Crash for cash scams have long been a priority area for the insurance industry due to the risks they pose to innocent road users and the additional cost they incur for motor insurance premiums.

Ifed has encouraged members of the public with information about suspicious garage activity or staged accidents to report it via Action Fraud or the IFB’s CheatLine.