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Four individuals in a “crash for cash” gang have been convicted of fraud offences for deliberately causing a crash in Warwickshire, the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) has announced.
The trial began on May 08. During the proceedings, the court heard how the group ventured on to public roads with the sole intention of deliberately crashing into innocent and unsuspecting members of the public, putting people at a very real risk of serious injury. They submitted multiple claims to insurance companies for fake injuries, vehicle damage, and solicitor costs.
“Fraudsters are fuelled by greed and have little regard for the impact they have on others. Not only are they putting road users at risk of injury but crash for cash has significant costs associated to it, said IFB Director Ben Fletcher. “We estimate it costs the industry £336 million per year, and it is premium-paying motorists who ultimately foot the bill.”
The main orchestrator of the fraud, Amar Hussain, and an accomplice, Sahood Khan, pleaded guilty before the trial began. Their acquaintances Riaz Wazim and Benjamin Hamula were found guilty on May 11.
Fletcher said the convicts used scripts to ensure their fake claims looked valid to insurers. The scripts contained scenarios surrounding each crash to ensure that nothing could put their ‘claims’ in jeopardy.
At the time of Hussain’s arrest, a piece of paper found in his possession included the specifics of accidents with drivers and vehicles details.
“The notes also included basic drawings of the crashes as a prompt of their colluded story, along with a noted reminder of the fake back and neck injuries they were attempting to claim for,” said the IFB.
The bureau worked with Warwickshire Police in reviewing seized letters and documentation the gang used to commit fraud. The verdict marks the IFB’s 500th conviction since being set up in 2006. Sentencing is set to take place on June 08.
Article is care of insurance business mag and can be found here. http://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/auto-motor/court-convicts-crash-for-cash-gang-members-67437.aspx
