In recent months, there has been a noticeable rise in insurance fraud tied to manipulated accidents.
Criminals employ a range of schemes, with car setups standing out as among the most dangerous because they turn ordinary drivers into unwitting participants.
One illustrative tactic involves a driver approaching a flashing yellow light, then abruptly changing course at the last moment so the vehicle behind cannot brake in time, a scenario described by experts at the insurer Soglasie.
Deliberate collisions, arranged with the agreement of all parties beforehand, are also common. In these cases, the supposed “culprit” is typically the owner of an older domestically produced vehicle from brands like GAZ, VAZ, or ZIL, or a larger truck such as KAMAZ, all often well over a decade old. The injured party is usually a driver of a high-end car—models such as Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW, and Porsche—as well as right-hand drive vehicles, which require particularly costly repairs.
To make the fraud seem credible, attackers have refined their plans and sometimes stage genuine accidents. They often supply photos and videos of the collisions as proof, and ensure that even older vehicles are fitted with dash cameras which they subsequently use as part of their production. (Soglasie Insurance Experts)
Distinguishing real accidents from staged ones becomes easier when the cases are scrutinized carefully. Typically, those orchestrating pseudo-accidents are involved in multiple crashes at once, ranging from three to ten incidents, and they frequently switch roles during the events, alternating between perpetrator and victim. The scenarios themselves also tend to follow a small set of patterns. Most commonly, a collision with a moving car in front is followed by a retreat from the adjacent area, or a crash involving a stationary car reversing.
With continued growth in insurance fraud, there is concern that rates will rise and settlements will become more complicated for legitimate vehicle owners, a warning issued by the industry.
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