Law Enforcement Dismantles Moscow Car-Crash Insurance Scam Targeting Fraudulent Payouts
A coordinated criminal network in Moscow used staged car crashes to drain insurance funds, a scheme uncovered by law enforcement after a thorough investigation. The operation centered on convincing acts of collisions, damage to motorcycles, and falsified reports that claimed injuries and property losses never actually occurred. The perpetrators managed to secure compensation for each fake incident ranging from 400 thousand to 1.2 million rubles, exploiting weak points in the claims process and the trust insurers place in submitted information.
To strengthen their deception, the group fabricated powers of attorney and forged documents from notaries across different regions. They enlisted technical specialists who prepared bogus repair records and engineering assessments, declaring non-existent damages to inflate payouts. The fraud extended over two years and diverted substantial sums from companies that provide coverage to vehicle owners, with total losses estimated at more than 60 million rubles.
Current investigations have identified 11 suspects aged between 18 and 45. Among them, three individuals acted as leaders, coordinating the operation and scouting locations where accidents could be staged. The inquiry suggests these ringleaders recruited other participants to join the network, broadening the scope of the fraud and increasing its complexity.
Authorities believe the group was responsible for more than 70 staged accidents within the Moscow city limits. Across the network, more than 100 people were involved in various roles, from planning and execution to distributing forged documents and submitting false claims. Ongoing verification work continues to map the full extent of the fraud by cross-referencing incident reports, witness statements, and the allegedly produced documentation to confirm each element of the scheme.
Legal proceedings have begun in six separate criminal cases linked to the investigation. Investigators pursue charges that cover organized crime, fraud, document forgery, and related offenses. The authorities stress that the arrests and continued inquiries aim to protect the financial interests of insurers and ensure accountability for those who attempt to manipulate the system. The case also offers practical lessons for future safeguards in claims processing, including stronger verification of powers of attorney, cross-jurisdictional document authentication, and improved accident-detection protocols to prevent similar schemes from taking root again.