Fraudsters on mopeds are driving head-first into motorists in a rising insurance coverage rip-off that has claimed hundreds of victims, authorities have warned.
Many of the “crash for cash” moped scammers are believed to be couriers delivering gadgets together with takeaways, in line with the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB).
Nearly each UK insurer has acquired bogus claims associated to the fraud – collectively valued at £27m – with greater than 2,200 victims in London alone within the final two years, the place it has “become epidemic”, investigators say.
It is feared hundreds extra drivers have unknowingly been focused throughout the nation – and an pressing attraction has now been launched to assist motorists study the warning indicators of the rip-off.
How does the rip-off work?
Unlike conventional crash for money scams the place fraudsters slam on their automobile’s brake in hope that the sufferer behind can’t cease in time, this con entails mopeds being pushed at oncoming vehicles.
The moped scammer hides out of sight in a facet highway or parking house, after which intentionally drives into the sufferer as they head in the direction of them.
They then often throw their moped to the bottom and drop to the ground to dramatise an damage, earlier than taking images of the incident.
The fraudster generally has an confederate to behave as a witness and assist facilitate the rip-off.
There have additionally been stories of an confederate utilizing a van to assist obscure the sufferer’s view earlier than the moped drives into them, making the rip-off simpler to hold out.
Most reported incidents have taken place in north London, the place residents have been informed to be vigilant of any moped customers who look like lingering unnecessarily on public roads.
Who’s being focused?
Incidents date again so far as 10 years in the past, in line with the IFB and the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED).
There has been a surge in incidents since 2021 throughout London boroughs, together with Barnet, Brent, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Hackney, Islington, and Kensington and Chelsea – with prosperous areas usually focused.
The subject of crash for money moped scams within the capital has now grown to grow to be the IFB’s largest ever investigation.
Ursula Jallow, director at IFB, stated: “Crash for cash moped scams have become epidemic in our capital.
“These harmful fraudsters are driving head-first into unsuspecting motorists, leaving numerous victims terrified and insurers dealing with hundreds of thousands of kilos in bogus claims.”
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‘A dangerous menace on our roads’
Matthew Stevens, anti-fraud director at insurer Hastings Direct, said this type of fraud “not solely has a damaging impression on insurance coverage premiums, it’s also very harmful”.
“It is a transparent demonstration that these criminals don’t have any regard for public security and no concern for harmless and unsuspecting highway customers, who are sometimes left traumatised following these incidents,” he added.
Mark Allen, from the Association of British Insurers, stated: “Staged crash for cash scams are a dangerous menace on our roads.
“Often extremely organised, and continuously searching for new targets to take advantage of, these criminals put lives in danger.
“The industry is determined to do all it can to protect innocent motorists from these frauds through working collaboratively to drive this scourge from our roads.”
Anyone who thinks they’ve been focused in a crash for money moped rip-off can contact police in the event that they really feel in any instant hazard and inform their insurer of the incident.
Evidence of the rip-off could be reported to IFB’s confidential Cheatline service, through a web based type or by calling 0800 422 0421.
Source: information.sky.com”