Arrests in Op Catcher - 'cash for crash' scam
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For info.
Sky News Mobile said:
Police have made arrests in London and Luton as part of an investigation into so-called 'crash for cash' fraud.
Officers went to several addresses and arrested two men suspected of staging road traffic accidents and submitting inflated insurance claims.
It follows an investigation by the Metropolitan Police's 'Operation Catcher' unit which targets criminal gangs who deliberately cause collisions with innocent motorists.
The inquiry began in July after Towergate Risk Solutions received what appeared to be a simple insurance claim from the owner of a Mercedes hit by a lorry on the A414.
However, the owner of the lorry had previously installed a Roadhawk black box recorder. Video obtained from the camera appears to show two vehicles deliberately induce the crash.
A Volkswagon Golf is seen to swerve in front of a Mercedes, which brakes suddenly. The driver of the lorry behind the Mercedes is unable to stop in time and crashes into the back.
The incident is among the first to be caught on video by one of hundreds of cameras purchased by motorists in a bid to combat motor insurance fraud.
Organised gangs are known to target private cars and companies operating fleet vehicles within the M25.
Statistics recently released by the Insurance Fraud Bureau reveal that Birmingham, Liverpool and Blackburn are also hotspots.
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Chalmers, from the Metropolitan Police, told Sky News: "The insurance industry is losing millions of pounds a year. A single fraudulent claim can run into tens of thousands of pounds.
"Gangs operating these frauds are also putting innocent road users at huge physical risk. Insurance companies are now offering big inducements to their customers to fit good technology which gathers video evidence of potential fraud."
Motor insurance fraud is estimated to cost the industry almost half a billion pounds a year and add £44 on to motor insurance premiums.
Members of the public can report details of insurance fraud confidentially by calling 0800 328 2550 or visit the Metropolitan Police website.
StreakyOfficers went to several addresses and arrested two men suspected of staging road traffic accidents and submitting inflated insurance claims.
It follows an investigation by the Metropolitan Police's 'Operation Catcher' unit which targets criminal gangs who deliberately cause collisions with innocent motorists.
The inquiry began in July after Towergate Risk Solutions received what appeared to be a simple insurance claim from the owner of a Mercedes hit by a lorry on the A414.
However, the owner of the lorry had previously installed a Roadhawk black box recorder. Video obtained from the camera appears to show two vehicles deliberately induce the crash.
A Volkswagon Golf is seen to swerve in front of a Mercedes, which brakes suddenly. The driver of the lorry behind the Mercedes is unable to stop in time and crashes into the back.
The incident is among the first to be caught on video by one of hundreds of cameras purchased by motorists in a bid to combat motor insurance fraud.
Organised gangs are known to target private cars and companies operating fleet vehicles within the M25.
Statistics recently released by the Insurance Fraud Bureau reveal that Birmingham, Liverpool and Blackburn are also hotspots.
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Chalmers, from the Metropolitan Police, told Sky News: "The insurance industry is losing millions of pounds a year. A single fraudulent claim can run into tens of thousands of pounds.
"Gangs operating these frauds are also putting innocent road users at huge physical risk. Insurance companies are now offering big inducements to their customers to fit good technology which gathers video evidence of potential fraud."
Motor insurance fraud is estimated to cost the industry almost half a billion pounds a year and add £44 on to motor insurance premiums.
Members of the public can report details of insurance fraud confidentially by calling 0800 328 2550 or visit the Metropolitan Police website.
Manchester police have had some good results against these type of criminals, been in the papers and on the telly. Think they have won awards for the work. Not sure if they have pulled the plug to save £££££, but sure its about £45+ on the cost of every private motor policy due to fraud, so the public overall pays more.
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