Three arrests made in 'cash for crash' fraud probe

Three people have been arrested by the City of London’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) in the Liverpool area as part of an ongoing investigation into a suspected ‘cash for crash’ fraud estimated to be worth more than £1m.

The arrests were made in an early morning swoop last Tuesday by IFED detectives assisted by the Merseyside Police, with search warrants also being executed at business premises in the Speke area of the city and in Widnes.

The investigation was triggered after a referral from insurers who had become concerned at some of the motor insurance claims they were receiving from the north west.

Two women, 44 and 32, and one man, 46, were arrested at residential addresses close to John Lennon Airport on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud. Additionally one man, 40, was arrested in the Old Trafford area of Manchester. All are currently on Police bail, while enquiries continue. 

Since its launch in January, IFED have made a series of arrests across the UK, in particular targeting the organised crime behind car insurance fraud and opportunistic fraudsters who are submitting bogus claims to make some easy money.

IFED DCI Dave Wood said: “After five months in operation IFED has sent out a clear message that insurance fraud is a crime that will be investigated and prosecuted wherever and however it has been committed. IFED making arrests in Liverpool and Manchester is evidence of how committed we are to changing this culture.”