Crash for Cash Crime Prevention Advice

Crash for Cash Crime Prevention Advice

Good Afternoon Resident

Following conversations with local residents at a coffee morning, the team wanted to share some information on “Crash for Cash” incidents.

“Crash for Cash” is a type of insurance fraud where drivers and moped riders deliberately stage a road traffic collision to claim compensation. These incidents endanger other road users and drive-up insurance premiums.

These incidents are often caused by organised criminal gangs, who submit false or exaggerated insurance claims for vehicles and moped replacement costs. In some cases, fraudsters deliberately cause collisions and attempt to intimidate victims into handing over cash at the scene.

What to look out for:

Be alert to single vans parked near junctions, as “crash for cash” moped riders often use these as hiding spaces.

Stay cautious of moped riders loitering or behaving suspiciously in residential areas: they frequently wait on side roads off busy high streets before staging collisions.

After an incident, “crash for cash” fraudsters may overreact or fake injuries.

Moped riders involved in these scams often keep their helmets on following a collision to avoid identification.

How to protect yourself against “crash for cash” fraud:

Exercise caution on the road and maintain a safe distance from vehicles both ahead and behind you.

Installing front and rear dashcams can help deter offenders. If you are involved in or witness a “crash for cash” incident, dashcam footage may help demonstrate that an insurance claim is fraudulent and assist the police in prosecuting offenders.

If you witness a suspicious collision, offer to act as a witness and gather as much information as possible, such as the moped’s make and model, registration number, or the riders clothing.

After a collision, “crash for cash” moped riders may attempt to pressure you into showing your driving licence and insurance documents so they can photograph them. In some cases, this information has been misused to Fraudulently obtain insurance policies. Protect your identity by providing only the information that you are legally required to share.

You are legally required to share your name and address and if it is an injury collision insurance details are to be provided. If this is not done at the road side it needs to be reported to the police as soon as possible, in any case within 24 hours, this can be done through the met police website.

Do not engage in any financial transactions on scene at a collision.

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 08004220421 or https://insurancefraudbureau.org/en/cheatline Always call 999 in a case of emergency.

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Message Sent By
Olivia Wilds
(Metropolitan Police, Police Constable, Clock House Safer Neighbourhood Team)