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I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Fraud, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey. https://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/police-forces/city-of-london-police/areas/campaigns/crash-for-cash-fraud/
Please visit this link for more details about Crash for Cash .
'Crash for cash' fraud
‘Crash for cash’ is a form of insurance fraud in which drivers and moped riders stage road traffic collisions to gain compensation. These collisions put motorists at risk and contribute to increased insurance premiums.
There has been a rise in ‘crash for cash’ fraud involving mopeds in the UK. Over 4,000 people were targeted from June 2021 to July 2024, leading to fraudulent insurance claims worth an estimated total of £70 million.
Organised criminal gangs are often behind these incidents and will make fake or exaggerated insurance claims for storage and replacement moped costs. In some cases, fraudsters will cause a crash and try to intimidate victims into handing over money at the scene.
What to look out for
Beware of single parked vans near junctions. ‘Crash for cash’ moped riders often use them as hiding spots.
Be wary of moped riders loitering or acting suspiciously in residential areas. Often, they will hang around in small roads off busy high streets before staging a collision.
‘Crash for cash’ fraudsters overreact and fake injuries after crashes.
Moped riders will often keep their helmets on after a collision to avoid identification.
How to protect yourself against ‘crash for cash’ fraud
Be cautious when on the road and give all drivers adequate distance in front and behind.
Fitting a dashcam to the front and rear of your vehicle can help deter offenders. If you become victim to, or witness, a ‘crash for cash’ incident, dashcam footage may help prove that an insurance claim is fraudulent. It could also help the police prosecute offenders.
If you see a suspicious crash, offer to be a witness to the driver. Gather as much information as possible. This could be the make and model of the moped, its number plate or the clothing the moped rider is wearing.
‘Crash for cash’ moped riders may try to pressure you into presenting your driving licence and insurance certificate after a collision, which they will photograph on their mobile phone. In some instances, the information on these documents has been used to fraudulently take out insurance policies. Protect your ID from being compromised by only providing the other driver with the insurance information that is legally required.
If you are involved in, or witness, a collision and suspect it is a ‘crash for cash’ incident, report it to the police via the Insurance Fraud Bureau’s confidential CheatLine on 0800 422 0421 or insurancefraudbureau.org/cheatline. Always call 999 in an emergency.
 Fraud can affect anyone within the community, so we want to make sure you have the tools and knowledge to protect yourself from it. It comes in many different forms and across varying channels, whether that's through emails, phone calls or in person encounters. Some adults may be even more vulnerable to fraud or financial abuse, but it is something that everyone can be at risk of. If you’re concerned about someone you know, please contact your local social services and ask for Adult Social Care. Please see a few resources below to protect you and others from potential fraudsters: For more information and help and to report fraud, go to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. Lastly, if you think you’ve uncovered a scam, been targeted by a scam or fallen victim to fraudsters, please contact 101 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at Action Fraud. Get Involved Please consider getting involved and contribute to the local priority survey, we may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
Please click here to complete the survey
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