Mereyside Police executed warrants at three addresses
Merseyside Police have arrested four people as part of an ongoing investigation into motor insurance fraud.
Officers from the Force Crime Operations unit executed the warrants at three addresses, one in Waterloo, one in Halewood and the other in Tuebrook in the early morning on 30 October.
The investigation was prompted by Allianz Insurance, who contacted police when they were concerned about the large number of claims being made in the Merseyside area with connections back to a large communications company.
The offenders were allegedly involved in staging accident claims during 2005.
Detective Inspector Alyson Wilson said: "This is an unscrupulous crime that affects the premiums paid by the public and impacts on the whole of the motor insurance industry. Merseyside Police is carrying out a thorough investigation into the allegations."
Mihir Pandya, Allianz fraud manager said: "We have a policy of pro-actively managing fraud and have specific teams in place to identify and focus on organised fraud. Since the launch of the Insurance Fraud Bureau in July 2006 we have liased closely with them and they have provided very useful assistance, in this instance, enhancing the evidential value of the intelligence in our possession."
"The industry should be united in its efforts in disrupting this activity. In addition to working with the IFB, the industry must continue to invest in their own fraud management strategies in order to remain effective in countering this threat."
John Beadle, chairman of the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), said: "This operation is a key example of the success that can be achieved when the public and private sectors are working collectively. We are sending a clear message to all those criminals involved in 'crash for cash' scams and organised fraud that we are not a soft touch and they will be caught.
The four people arrested, a 36-year-old man from the Halewood area, a 38-year-old man from the Tuebrook area and a 44-year-old woman from the Tuebrook area and a 27-year-old man from the Tuebrook area, have all been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and have been granted police bail.
To date, a total of ten people have been interviewed regarding their involvement in the alleged accidents and the operation is ongoing.
