family and friends
A joint operation conducted by the National Police and the Elche Local Police led to the dismantling of a network that specialized in simulating traffic accidents to defraud insurance companies and secure compensation for injuries and vehicle damage. In the police-led operation, thirteen people, all of Spanish nationality and aged between 23 and 60, were detained. The scheme involved defrauding more than 50,000 euros through staged crashes and sham injuries.
The investigation was carried out by the Judicial Police Brigade of the Elche National Police, building on information provided by the Elche Local Police and a private investigator working for a major car insurance company. Several individuals were suspected of fabricating car traffic accidents and making false claims for compensations, with subsequent verification confirming the fraud.
The operation also included an image of one of the cars involved in the Elche scheme, underscoring the scale of the criminal activity. The information came from authorities actively fighting fraud and property crime, who uncovered the existence of a highly organized criminal network comprising at least thirteen people.
Two of the thirteen suspects emerged as the leaders of the group in Elche. They were responsible for orchestrating fake accidents and trained others on how to stage prearranged crashes and file insurance claims to obtain sums alleged as compensation for injuries that were never suffered.
The police investigation revealed a close social bond among those investigated, showing that many were relatives or friends who knew each other well and formed a tight-knit circle. The cohesion within this group helped to sustain the fraudulent activity over time.
All thirteen suspects were arrested after their identities were confirmed, and authorities indicated that the investigation would continue. They face charges of simulating multiple traffic accidents and causing economic harm to insurers exceeding 50,000 euros through improper insurance settlements. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to disrupt organized schemes that exploit the insurance system and to hold individuals accountable for fraud. [Source: Elche National Police]