Cash for crash scam run out of single garage nets 158 prosecutions

The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) last Friday announced the conclusion of the latest series of trials in which 77 fraudsters either pleaded or were found guilty. Over 150 individuals were at the centre of the insurance 'cash for cash' scam say Fraud Fighters. 

 

Investigations by Gwent Police on a garage in Cardiff called EASIFIX, lasted four and a half years before the IFB was called in.  

 

"The bureau was able to link the damaged vehicles, as well as vehicle parts found at the garage, with a number of deceptive insurance claims. Initially, 60 incidents involving around 150 claimants were identified, resulting in the arrest and charging of 87 people by Gwent Police. Most were prosecuted for a range of offences, including conspiracy to defraud and fraud by misrepresentation."

 

A further 22 staged incidents and 80 additional individuals were linked to the scam following the investigation.

Three were found not guilty. The remainder had their cases concluded last week. 

 

Jason Potter, IFB's head of investigations, said "the latest prosecutions were the continuation of one of the largest and longest investigations in the organisation's 12-year history. What may have seemed to the fraudsters like a quick way to make money has ultimately results in a total of 158 guilty verdicts across both phases of the investigations," he added. 

 

Whitestone Solicitors

Road Accident Compensation