West Yorkshire police and IFB seize three in operation against car crash fraud
The number of “cash for crash” motor scams has finally started to drop, the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) claimed this week following the arrest of three key suspects.
John Beadle, chairman of the IFB, said: “We believe we’re beginning to see a reduction in the long-term risk.” He could not provides figures because of a lack of data going back over the past three years.
Three people, allegedly senior members of an organised crime network, were charged by West Yorkshire police in conjunction with the IFB last Tuesday. This followed an ongoing investigation dubbed Operation Pelican.
Beadle said because the suspects, including a mechanic, were allegedly high-ranking members of the scam, the arrests could temporarily disrupt that network’s ability to commit more frauds.
The charges follow more than 100 others that have been laid since the IFB teamed up with police to disrupt the criminals who are forcing collisions and then claiming compensation from insurers.
Beadle said “These people are criminals first and insurance fraudsters second. This is not an opportunistic fraud, it is a well thought out crime. They targeted the insurance sector because in the past it was perceived as a soft target.
“These arrests show we are not soft and I think these guys may soon realise it’s not worth the risk.”
A 37-year-old man from the Keighley area has been charged with conspiracy to defraud insurance companies, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and the intimidation of witnesses.
A 36-year-old woman from the Keighley area has been charged with conspiracy to defraud insurance companies, while a 57-year-old self-employed vehicle examiner has been charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, and conspiracy to defraud insurance companies.
