The Moscow police, with support from the insurance group SOGAZ, have identified a network of car scammers responsible for a large number of fraudulent traffic incidents. In 2022, insurers reported a surge of claims tied to two individuals, Evgeny Afanasyev and Evgeny Samoshin, who were linked to multiple staged accidents.
In addition, eight other firms reported that drivers belonging to their fleets fell prey to the same scheme. Investigations revealed that the scammers orchestrated emergency maneuvers on roundabouts, typically involving a high-end vehicle such as a Bentley Continental, to create convincing collision scenarios.
In these operations, the second vehicle in the crash was chosen from commercial fleet drivers, who became the apparent at-fault party. Beyond collecting insurance payouts, the scheme included shifting the documented loss amount between the claimant and the victim as an additional alleged payment. Both alleged perpetrators now face criminal charges as authorities pursue the case.
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Participants can cast ballots in the “Behind the Wheel” Grand Prix to help determine the year’s top car introductions. As a token of appreciation for taking part, a drawing will select three ferrets to be awarded to respondents who complete the survey by the end of February 28, 2023.