Two men were captured on CCTV staging a car accident in a remote country lane in Leeds to facilitate a fraudulent insurance claim, prompting police to issue a public warning about evolving tactics employed by criminal gangs.
Khuram Mohammad, 41, and an accomplice were observed setting up a stationary bicycle on May 27, 2024, before driving their vehicle towards it at speed. Following the staged collision, one individual pretended to be injured on the road while the other contacted emergency services to report the incident. Admiral Insurance subsequently received a claim from the supposed cyclist for bicycle damage and personal injury.
The Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) investigated and determined the claims to be fraudulent, citing misuse of emergency services. CCTV footage provided independent evidence that the collision was deliberately orchestrated. Mohammad was sentenced in May of this year to a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, after a trial for attempting to make a false insurance claim against Admiral Insurance. The accomplice has reportedly fled the UK and remains wanted.
Detective Chief Inspector Nik Jethwa, Head of IFED, stated that "crash for cash fraud is a growing problem and criminals are becoming more aggressive in how they carry out these schemes." He urged the public to be aware of the tactics, which endanger innocent road users. "Please take extra care at difficult junctions and roundabouts and follow our safety advice if you suspect something is wrong," Jethwa advised.
Authorities noted that these scams are becoming more sophisticated, combining aggressive staging with roadside data theft and collusion with repair networks. A particular concern is the demand for victims' driving licenses, which can then be used for identity fraud. The IFED is investigating over £25.3 million in suspected crash-for-cash fraud cases over the past five years, with approximately 75 percent involving staged or induced collisions.
Bryn Brooker, Head of Road Safety at Nextbase, emphasized that "crash-for-cash scams rely on uncertainty" and that video footage, such as from dashcams, can provide impartial and irrefutable evidence to help drivers prove their innocence.
Police advise drivers to install dashcams, avoid photographing their driving licenses at the roadside, refrain from paying cash or providing bank details at the scene of an incident, and to contact their insurer promptly after any collision.