The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) has helped West Yorkshire Police with intelligence-gathering, leading to the arrest of four people today suspected of staging motor accidents...
The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) has helped West Yorkshire Police with intelligence-gathering, leading to the arrest of four people today suspected of staging motor accidents.
Each successful insurance scam, known as “cash for crash”, netted in excess of £30,000 and involved offenders staging or contriving collisions between themselves.
The criminals also induced innocent motorists into having collisions with the purpose of making a claim on the innocent motorist’s insurer. In addition, the gang gave accounts of fictitious injuries to bump up pay-outs.
Police seized a large number of financial documents and a high value motor vehicle at various properties in the Keighley area during the dawn-raid.
“The insurance industry is no longer an easy touch for these organised fraudsters
John Beadle, Chairman of the IFB
Investigators from the IFB provided advice and assistance and had been working with detectives for the past 3 months to put the operation together.
John Beadle, Chairman of the IFB said: “The insurance industry is no longer an easy touch for these organised fraudsters. This is the third operation involving the police and the IFB in as many weeks.
We know these criminal gangs affect honest motorists in a number of different ways and are ruthless. Through our partnership approach with the Police we will continue to find, expose and pursue those criminals involved in organised insurance fraud.”
The IFB runs a free and confidential helpline which members of the public are urged to call if they have any information on staged motor accidents or other types of insurance fraud. The number is 0800 328 2550.
About the IFB
The IFB analyses the details of insurance policies and claims records of all participating insurers to identify suspicious activity. It then leads or co-ordinates an investigation with the effected insurers to expose fraudsters and bring them to justice, recovering fraudulent monies paid out and seeking criminal prosecution.
The IFB operates the Fraud Cheatline. Anyone with information on suspected insurance fraud can call this free and confidential helpline. The Cheatline number is 0800 328 2550.
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