A leading insurer has reported a sharp rise in ‘crash for cash’ scams involving moped riders ramming the cars of unsuspecting drivers to claim on their insurance policies.
Allianz says the crime increased sixtyfold in 2023, with car drivers in London being the most affected.
The worst-hit area of the capital was south London, which experienced 42% of the city’s reported incidents.
More recently, Wallington, located in the south London borough of Sutton, has been targeted to the extent that in May residents created a WhatsApp group to share reports.
Among its members is Ros Karamath. In May last year, the 65-year-old was in her Hyundai i20 waiting at a junction, intending to turn right into a major road.
“I was surprised to see that a moped rider on my right had stopped the traffic and was waving me across the road,” she told Autocar. “Having checked the way was clear to my left, as I pulled away a second moped passed him and crashed into the front offside wing of my car.
“The rider jumped off his bike and immediately began taking photographs of the scene. As we exchanged details, he was very calm and I noticed the other rider had left.”
Although shaken, Karamath had the presence of mind to photograph the rider’s insurance policy and the registration number of his bike, which, she said, was undamaged.
“Comparing my experience with that of others in my WhatsApp group, it’s clear I was a victim of fraudsters,” she said. “They work in pairs and generally target lone women drivers. Some will even demand cash but most are doing it to claim personal injury compensation.”
She added: “I’m very angry.” Karamath said she knows of 20 members in her Wallington group who have been victims of the scam but she believes the fraudsters responsible have now moved on.
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Petrol mopeds sound like lawnmowers, look like upside-down plastic wheelbarrows, stink like bonfires and always seem to be ridden by low-lifes. Just banning petrol mopeds would solve many problems in itself. Especially the Honda PCX 125, the world's ugliest vehicle.
Until the country implements tougher penalties for crime, whether it be these types of scams or the violence of last week, the criminal elements in society will continue to proliferate. I don't care if we need more prisons, I don'y care if we have the most people in our prisons, or what it costs, the only way to deter people is with scary consequences not laughably light sentences.
And you think building more Prisons will help?, puttvthemin there they learn more ways to commit crimes, they get a nice warm cell, modern conveniences, three square meals a Day and a little excercise,oh, and a little rehabilitation, who pays for this?, yeah, us, the Tax payer, there are no current sentences that make a meaningful permanent change in there life's, they will still go back to a life of crime.
How do you know anything about what it's like to go to prison?
ok, it's a sweeping statement, but, people who have been victims of crime are cynical, I worked in a business where I dealt with customers from all walks of life, and I knew a few dodgy characters who came in our business, we also were quite friendly with the local constabulary and from them we got to know about certain people to watch out for, some of these officers quoted my sweeping statement,so I had no reason to doubt it.
there is absolutely no deterrent. Our country is now riddled with increasing numbers of dodgy bleeders that know full well the chances of getting a custodial sentence are virtually zero. And even if they do happen to get one that they'll only serve less than half their term and be back on the streets reoffending.
We need to DOUBLE our prison capacity just to keep up with what is going on 'now', let alone what's coming in the future.