Road crash fraudsters exposed in new TV doc

INSURANCE fraudsters who stage road crashes to make bogus claims were exposed last night in a special RTE investigation.

Prime Time featured footage filmed by gardai showing two men jumping into a car after it had already smashed into a van.

It also showed the driver of the van instruct the man who crashed into him, to “move back and do it one more time”.

All but one of those filmed were charged and convicted of offences.

Rob Smyth, a former Garda Drug Trafficking and organised crime officer, said: “Criminals are using insurance fraud to fund their lifestyle.

“Unfortunately when police are stopping these people most have had an insurance claim in the past and it justifies having that €10,000 or €20,000 in cash.

“The fact of the matter is it is covering up their criminal activities.”

The programme also reported how high payouts for whiplash and soft tissue injuries here attracts people to fly into the country, hire cars just to make a claim.

Rental firm Hertz gave several examples of how vehicles were damaged in suspicious circumstances within 24 hours of being hired by tourists.

Spokesman Michael Brennan said 20% of its insurance reserve is set aside for suspected fraudulent claims.

He added: “We have seen accidents staged within as little as 30 minutes from the time of the rental.”