Suspended prison sentences for crash-for-cash trio

Two siblings and their friend have received suspended prison sentences for their roles in a crash-for-cash scheme targeting a pregnant woman.

Kuljit and Amanjit Bains were both sentenced to six months in prison. Avenesh Patel received a four month sentence. All three were suspended for 18 months.

The trio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation following a City of London Police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) investigation into suspicious personal injury claims they’d made after a vehicle collision on a motorway roundabout in West Bromwich.

Hastings Direct referred the case to IFED after the trio made claims worth £18,000.

IFED discovered that the victim had manoeuvred behind the fraudsters’ car on the roundabout, when, for no apparent reason, they suddenly braked, causing their victim to crash into the back of them. Mr Bains claimed that a car in front had caused them to brake suddenly.

Detective constable Kevin Hughes, who led the investigation for IFED, said: “In an effort to make some money, these fraudsters put the safety of the victim and other drivers around them at serious risk. It’s a relief to know that no-one was injured, including the victim. Thankfully she and her baby were unhurt.”

“Thanks to the initial referral by Hastings Direct and their support throughout our investigation, we were able to ensure these fraudsters were brought to justice.”

Commenting on the crash-for-cash scheme, Matt Stevens, director of counter fraud at Hastings Direct, said: “We are proud of our ongoing work with the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department to bring fraudsters to justice. By investigating these crimes and through our ongoing investment in counter fraud operations, we will continue to protect innocent customers.”

Mark Dugdale