Perpetrators face charges of conspiracy to defraud insurance companies
West Yorkshire Police have charged three people in the ongoing inquiry into ‘cash for crash’ scams in conjunction with the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB).
IFB Investigators worked closely with Keighley Police over the last ten months to investigate alleged false motor accident claims involving hundreds of thousands of pounds, known as Operation Pelican.
During the inquiry 22 people have been arrested. A 37 year old male 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 female 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.
All three individuals will appear at Bingley Magistrates Court on March 13th. A further 16 people have received police cautions for minor fraud offences and three individuals have been eliminated from inquiries.
Detective Inspector John Mountain, West Yorkshire Police, said: “Innocent policy holders are paying for this kind of crime. Fraud increases the average premium by 5% or around £40.
"We will continue to work closely with the Insurance Fraud Bureau and take a robust stance in targeting and disrupting the criminal gangs preying on innocent motorists and the insurance industry.”
John Beadle, chairman of the IFB added: "The insurance industry is no longer an easy touch for these organised fraudsters.
"We will continue to work closely with West Yorkshire Police and are delighted with the results achieved to date via this ongoing inquiry.
"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."
