If moped riders didn’t already have enough to keep vigilant about as they ride through London and Manchester, a new problem has reared its head to worry us: a wave of ‘crash for cash’ insurance frauds.
The scam crashes are driving up insurance premiums and seeing vulnerable young riders being prosecuted by the police – while the scams’ masterminds get away with organising the crimes.
‘Crash for cash’ scams see moped riders deliberately ride their bikes into cars or vans in order to make an insurance claim.
It sounds ridiculous that anyone would deliberately smash their bike into another vehicle, but that’s exactly what’s happening – and the police think the fraud is costing over £70million a year.
DS Marek Coghill from the City of London Police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department told Two Wheels London that it had launched an investigation into what’s become one of the UK’s most lucrative insurance scams.
Called Operation Fulvus, it has uncovered a wave of scam crashes across London, with hotspots in Barnet, Brent, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Croydon, Hammersmith and Fulham, Lambeth, and Ealing
But it is now being seen further afield, with cases rising in Manchester, too.
How it works
Crash for cash scams aren’t about riders making an opportunistic claim after a legitimate crash. They are about organised criminal gangs that are praying on vulnerable young riders – many of whom are recent migrants to the UK – to participate in a fraudulent crash that could see those involved spend time in prison.
Here’s the typical pattern: A young rider looking for gig economy work with Deliveroo or Uber Eats, needs a bike. They visit one of the garages linked to the scam where they are told they can have a bike at a cheap price as long as they join in with a couple of scam crashes.
What follows is a carefully planned fraud. The rider is positioned at a specific junction, often hiding behind a van, until the right victim comes along in their car or van. On a signal the rider accelerates into them, deliberately causing a collision in a way that looks like the other motorist’s fault. Within moments, an accomplice appears to video the scene and photograph everything.
A single staged crash can be worth as much as £30,000 – with the crooked garage taking the lion’s share of the cash. The moped rider risks injury and prosecution if charged, but the people behind the scam usually get away scot-free.
As DS Coghill pointed out, these aren’t victimless crimes. “The criminals who set these crashes up are exploiting young people who are just trying to find legitimate work in the gig economy. They are pretty unpleasant people; they don’t care of the consequences for the young riders. There’s been a fair amount of violence linked to this type of operation.”
How riders can fight back against moped fraud
But the good news is the Met Police is fighting back. It has launched Operation Fulvus to focus on the masterminds behind these crashes: organised crime gangs, crooked garages, bent solicitors and dodgy claims management companies.
They targeted five garages in South London, making arrests, and seizing evidence. It’s a significant breakthrough in what DS Coghill acknowledges will be a lengthy investigation.
Working with trading standards, the Insurance Fraud Bureau, and immigration enforcement, they’re dismantling these networks. But as DS Coghill acknowledged, “this isn’t going away – it’s very profitable.”
What will make the difference is awareness. The more riders and drivers know about these scams, the harder they become to pull off. We need to share this information with our riding mates. Be vigilant. And if something feels wrong after a collision, speak out.
Our insurance premiums are being driven up by organised crime. The best way to fight back is to know what you’re dealing with.
Five ways to protect honest moped riders from Crash-for-Cash Scams
If you’re driving or riding in London or Manchester here’s what you need to know:
Stay alert: The best defence is awareness. These staged crashes often target the school run, single drivers, or elderly motorists – anyone likely to panic or feel vulnerable when confronted.
Know the pattern: Watch for riders positioned suspiciously at junctions, particularly those appearing to wait behind vans or other vehicles that obscure their view of traffic.
Record everything: If you’re involved in any collision that feels suspicious, record as much detail as possible about the rider’s appearance, the bike, and any witnesses. Front and rear dash cams are your best protection – DS Coghill installed them himself after working on this investigation.
Guard your documents: There’s a new evolution to this scam: riders are photographing driving licences during the aftermath of crashes, then using those details in further fraudulent claims. Never hand over your documents at the scene. Exchange details verbally or write them down instead.
Report suspicions quickly: Contact your insurer immediately if you believe you’ve been targeted, and make it clear you suspect fraud.
Why moped scams are driving up UK insurance premiums
While police tackle the criminal networks, riders continue to face the consequences through ever-increasing insurance costs. This £70 million fraud is just one piece of a much larger puzzle affecting motorcycle insurance premiums.