0:00:03 > 0:00:07Insurance fraud in the UK is reaching epidemic levels
0:00:07 > 0:00:09and it's costing us billions of pounds every year.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Deliberate crashes...
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Bogus personal injury claims...
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Even fake deaths.
0:00:18 > 0:00:23The fraudsters are risking more and more to make a quick killing...
0:00:23 > 0:00:27and every year it's adding up to £50 to your insurance bill.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33Insurers are fighting back -
0:00:33 > 0:00:35armed with covert surveillance systems...
0:00:35 > 0:00:38The equipment that we have to use has to be cutting edge,
0:00:38 > 0:00:39it's as simple as that.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43..sophisticated data analysis techniques...
0:00:43 > 0:00:47This is connected to a bank account and a second mobile phone number.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49..and a newly-formed, dedicated police unit...
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Police! Step back!
0:00:52 > 0:00:54..they're catching the criminals red-handed...
0:00:56 > 0:00:59All those conmen, scammers, cheats on the fiddle -
0:00:59 > 0:01:03now they're caught in the act and claimed and shamed.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Today the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department
0:01:14 > 0:01:17is on the trail of three suspects...
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Does he reside here, sir?
0:01:22 > 0:01:23Well, we need to speak to him, sir.
0:01:23 > 0:01:28..a gang who deliberately cause road traffic collisions is targeted...
0:01:28 > 0:01:31It's a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34..and the camera never lies - even if fraudsters do!
0:01:34 > 0:01:37'I see quite a lot of surveillance evidence,
0:01:37 > 0:01:38'but even I was quite shocked.'
0:01:38 > 0:01:41The deceit level was probably the biggest that I've ever seen.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49Herne Bay, on the Kent coast, was the perfect place...
0:01:49 > 0:01:53for ex-policeman Michael Hoar to enjoy his retirement,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57until a road traffic collision, caused by another driver,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00left Michael injured and his car damaged.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04He submitted a claim on the insurance of the driver responsible.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Susan Evans is Fraud Operations Manager
0:02:08 > 0:02:11at the insurance company that handled the claim.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Mr Hoar had stopped at the entry to a roundabout
0:02:14 > 0:02:17and our policyholder had collided with the rear of his vehicle.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21The claim included a list of the injuries that Michael had suffered.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25The injuries that Mr Hoar alleged to have been suffering with
0:02:25 > 0:02:28were a whiplash to the back, and to the neck,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31and an injury to his left foot, and his left knee,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34and some psychological problems,
0:02:34 > 0:02:36including flashbacks of the accident.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39He was claiming for a significant level of injury,
0:02:39 > 0:02:42which would require a hefty payout.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45We were probably looking at between £30,000 to £40,000
0:02:45 > 0:02:48in relation to the claim itself.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52The large claim also included the cost of a piece of equipment
0:02:52 > 0:02:55more associated with leisure than pain relief.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00Mr Hoar put in a claim for £2,300 for a hot tub.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02With such extensive injuries,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05it seemed likely that the policyholder's car
0:03:05 > 0:03:07would be a write-off, but this was not the case.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10There was about £1,500 worth of damage
0:03:10 > 0:03:12to our policyholder's vehicle,
0:03:12 > 0:03:16which is not a significant accident by any stretch of the imagination,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19and the injuries that were being complained of,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21as the medical evidence was materialising,
0:03:21 > 0:03:24were far more severe than one would have anticipated.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27The inconsistency between the extent of the injuries
0:03:27 > 0:03:31and the relatively minor damage to the vehicle set alarm bells ringing.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34The insurer needed to get to the truth -
0:03:34 > 0:03:37the best way was to go undercover.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40The insurer called on the services of a group of investigators
0:03:40 > 0:03:44who specialise in concealed cameras and covert filming.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Our role is simply to remain covert at all times.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52To go in, take footage, and take as much footage as possible,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55so that the courts can form a correct legal opinion
0:03:55 > 0:03:57of someone's ability or disability.
0:03:59 > 0:04:00Surveillance took place
0:04:00 > 0:04:04on the same day that Michael had to attend an examination.
0:04:04 > 0:04:05'On the day of his medical'
0:04:05 > 0:04:08he presented himself as a person who needed a walking aid,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10who was very, very, ill,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12who was kind of almost shuffling along.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14At one stage, he stopped
0:04:14 > 0:04:18and clearly appeared to have some form of twinge in his back.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20He presented himself as someone with a significant disability.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23The footage supported Michael's claim
0:04:23 > 0:04:26but the surveillance group had their suspicions.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29This is a man who I suspect that he's under surveillance
0:04:29 > 0:04:31at that given point in time
0:04:31 > 0:04:35and wants to portray himself in a certain way.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39However, other footage revealed Michael taking part in an activity
0:04:39 > 0:04:42that blew apart the deception.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49We saw him drag out, from behind his property,
0:04:49 > 0:04:52a fairly substantial powerboat on a trailer,
0:04:52 > 0:04:57attach it to a 4x4 and then drive it off to the local harbour
0:04:57 > 0:05:01and then our last sighting of him was him sailing off into the sunset.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Under the sharp focus of the surveillance cameras,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07it was apparent that this former pillar of the community
0:05:07 > 0:05:12was trying to cheat his way to a payout that he didn't deserve.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14What's shocking about this particular case
0:05:14 > 0:05:16is that we're dealing with an ex-police officer,
0:05:16 > 0:05:21an ex-police officer who would have been exposed to investigating fraud
0:05:21 > 0:05:23and crime on a day-to-day basis.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28So one would think that he would have a strong sense of right and wrong.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33I see quite a lot of surveillance evidence
0:05:33 > 0:05:34but even I was quite shocked.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38The deceit level was probably the biggest that I've ever seen.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40I think he was a very, very good actor.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42With the insurer certain the claim was fraudulent,
0:05:42 > 0:05:46the decision was taken to pursue the matter in a criminal court.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50A decision was made to take it to a criminal court
0:05:50 > 0:05:52and allow a judge to decide the outcome.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Before the trial,
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Mr Hoar tried to claim that the person in the footage
0:05:56 > 0:06:00was in fact his brother, but that was a lie, too.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03There was no resemblance to his brother at all.
0:06:03 > 0:06:04The case proceeded to trial.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08Despite the formidable amount of evidence against him,
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Michael initially pleaded not guilty,
0:06:10 > 0:06:12but the footage was so compelling
0:06:12 > 0:06:15that something highly unusual happened in court.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Some time into the trial, the judge stopped the proceedings
0:06:18 > 0:06:22and suggested that it would have been within Mr Hoar's best interests
0:06:22 > 0:06:24if he pleaded guilty.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26He did eventually plead guilty
0:06:26 > 0:06:30and received a six-month suspended sentence for 12 months.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35For us, actually getting the genuine claim settled quickly and efficiently,
0:06:35 > 0:06:40and weeding out these fraudulent claims is a good day's work.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46A road crash gang that targets innocent drivers...
0:06:46 > 0:06:48I think the whole experience for the young girl
0:06:48 > 0:06:50was shocking and terrifying.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53..and some photos of crash damage are decidedly dodgy...
0:06:53 > 0:06:58The expert found that those images had been tampered with,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01they'd been altered, they'd been taken from different cameras.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09In the fight against the growing problem of insurance fraud,
0:07:09 > 0:07:11an elite police squad have come together to form IFED,
0:07:11 > 0:07:15the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Insurance fraud isn't a victimless crime,
0:07:17 > 0:07:21£50 of each premium you pay each year goes to the fraudsters.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23We have been set up to tackle that problem.
0:07:23 > 0:07:28This dedicated team works tirelessly to bang up the crooks
0:07:28 > 0:07:31and con men getting rich off other people's money.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33Police! Step back!
0:07:33 > 0:07:36It's our intention to create a climate of fear for the fraudster.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38There's every chance an IFED detective
0:07:38 > 0:07:41may come knocking on their door to arrest them
0:07:41 > 0:07:42for committing an insurance fraud.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46Police! Don't move! Stay where you are!
0:07:46 > 0:07:51By April 2012, after only six months of operating,
0:07:51 > 0:07:54they had already busted 80 fraudsters.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Adding up to £12 million of fraud under investigation.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01These people are criminals, these are nasty people.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04They don't go out to work on a Monday morning like most people do,
0:08:04 > 0:08:07their work is submitting insurance fraud claims.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Today the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department
0:08:15 > 0:08:16is investigating
0:08:16 > 0:08:19a suspected car insurance fraud.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23It believes a multi-car incident was completely staged.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25The collision involved a convoy of three cars
0:08:25 > 0:08:27driven by people who knew each other
0:08:27 > 0:08:29and were all travelling to the same place.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33DS Mark Forster and his team are aiming to make three arrests.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38The guy we're going to see first off this morning, erm...
0:08:38 > 0:08:42is, he's involved, well, he was driving at the back of the convoy
0:08:42 > 0:08:48and it's the vehicle that has allegedly caused this accident.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51The vehicle that was at the front, the front of the three vehicles,
0:08:51 > 0:08:53was a sports car.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55We suspect the whole reason for this accident claim,
0:08:55 > 0:08:59this insurance claim, was in order to get the sports car done up.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03There was large repair costs that were submitted to the insurers,
0:09:03 > 0:09:07erm, PI, personal injury claims,
0:09:07 > 0:09:09replacement vehicle hire,
0:09:09 > 0:09:14credit exchange and also even right the way down to recovery costs,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17but it totalled somewhere in the region of £80,000.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21They believe the first suspect on the list
0:09:21 > 0:09:24was the driver of the car at the back of the convoy
0:09:24 > 0:09:27who supposedly caused the crash by driving into the vehicle in front.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31It's 6:30 in the morning
0:09:31 > 0:09:33when Mark and his team arrive at the address.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35The father of the suspect comes to meet them
0:09:35 > 0:09:37and wants to know what's going on.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39'City of London Police...'
0:09:39 > 0:09:44We want to speak to him about an insurance fraud we believe he's involved in.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- That's all the detail I can give you, sir.- Right.- OK?
0:09:47 > 0:09:49I can speak to him more about it, but I can't yourself.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53- I take you are, sorry, you are his father?- Yeah.- OK.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Does he reside here, sir? He is?
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Well, we need to speak to him, sir.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01He reveals the first suspect is in the house
0:10:01 > 0:10:04and the man in question eventually comes to talk to Mark.
0:10:04 > 0:10:09We need to speak to you today, OK, in relation to a matter that's been referred to us,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12in relation to what we suspect is an insurance fraud.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20They take him down to the local police station for questioning.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25With two arrests still to be made, IFED gets back on the road.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28He's just been booked in and just been put in a cell.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33He just came out with it, indicated that he knew what it was all about
0:10:33 > 0:10:37and said that he didn't see any point in lying about any involvement.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40So I don't know what he's going to say in interview,
0:10:40 > 0:10:42we obviously didn't question him any further,
0:10:42 > 0:10:47but he asked if we were picking up any of the others
0:10:47 > 0:10:49that were "involved" were his exact words.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52So what exactly that means, I don't know.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Next stop for the IFED team is a property where they believe
0:10:58 > 0:11:01the second and third suspects will both be.
0:11:01 > 0:11:02The second suspect was a passenger
0:11:02 > 0:11:05and put in a claim for personal injury.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08The third suspect is the owner of the sports car.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11We think all these lads have got together, basically,
0:11:11 > 0:11:16come up with this plan and decided to make up this accident
0:11:16 > 0:11:18and put in numerous claims from it.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27They arrive at the property and are hopeful both suspects will be in.
0:11:37 > 0:11:42After securing the back of the building, they prepare to enter through the front.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46It's vital to the success of the case that they find and question the two suspects.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50But will they be at home?
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- How many plants have you got? - Nine in there.- Nine?
0:11:56 > 0:12:00I'm further arresting you on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Criminal gangs that commit car insurance fraud
0:12:06 > 0:12:09will stop at nothing to make a quick buck
0:12:09 > 0:12:12and they don't care whose lives they're putting at risk.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15One such gang operated on the outskirts of London
0:12:15 > 0:12:18and what they did endangered countless road users.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21They came to the attention of Detective Inspector Dave Hindmarsh
0:12:21 > 0:12:24who heads up a special Met Police Traffic Unit.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28His team was set up to combat the organised criminal gangs
0:12:28 > 0:12:31who commit car insurance fraud through road traffic collisions.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34My team came across the gang for Operation Coronado
0:12:34 > 0:12:38initially as a result of anonymous Crimestoppers information.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41The gang was using a dangerous technique
0:12:41 > 0:12:45the Met traffic unit are well used to seeing on the UK's roads - the "induced collision".
0:12:47 > 0:12:50First, the gang choose a victim.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Then they move their two cars into position in front of the target.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56Gang car number one then slams on its brakes.
0:12:56 > 0:13:02Gang car two reacts by braking hard, resulting in a rear-end shunt for the victim.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07Gang car one then turns off at the next possible turning, pretending to be unaware of the crash.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11It's highly dangerous
0:13:11 > 0:13:14and the consequences for other road users could be deadly.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18Operation Coronado was launched to gather proof of what was going on.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21The Traffic Unit set up video surveillance.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24It wasn't long before the intelligence they gathered
0:13:24 > 0:13:27showed the gang was working in a very specific area.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31They go round the roundabout on the A127 some nine times
0:13:31 > 0:13:34looking for their victim, their target.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39The surveillance footage shows a black Golf and a green Saab
0:13:39 > 0:13:42circling for over six minutes as they choose their prey.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46Eventually they identify a suitable innocent driver.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51The Golf brakes and turns left away from the Saab.
0:13:51 > 0:13:57The Saab brakes, overexaggerates its braking and stops.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Unfortunately, the young girl driving
0:14:00 > 0:14:03crashed into the back of their Saab
0:14:03 > 0:14:06and then she in turn was hit by a white van.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09The crash happens on the other side of the roundabout
0:14:09 > 0:14:12and the covert filming team just catches the end of the incident.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17I think they chose that particular victim because she was driving a relatively nice car.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19And she was a lone female,
0:14:19 > 0:14:21so she's not going to cause them any problems
0:14:21 > 0:14:24and the likelihood is that she would be insured.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26What was planned as a shunt
0:14:26 > 0:14:29had in seconds become a multi-vehicle pile-up.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31I think the whole experience for the young girl
0:14:31 > 0:14:32was shocking and terrifying,
0:14:32 > 0:14:37not only to crash into a vehicle, but then to be hit from the rear.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39But that's of zero concern to the gang,
0:14:39 > 0:14:44who waste no time in collecting their victim's insurance details
0:14:44 > 0:14:45so they can make a claim.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50To make the case stand up, the police needed to prove beyond doubt
0:14:50 > 0:14:53there was a link between the cars being driven by the gang members.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58If we can show that there was association before or after between both parties,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01then it assists us and it's quite crucial
0:15:01 > 0:15:04in providing the best possible evidence to the jury.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06The surveillance continued
0:15:06 > 0:15:08and before long, the gang is spotted
0:15:08 > 0:15:10trawling the roads for another victim.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14This time they are filmed inducing a collision on a motorway slip road.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18Car one brakes hard, car two brakes even harder
0:15:18 > 0:15:21and the target can't avoid crashing into the back of them.
0:15:21 > 0:15:26To ensure they have indisputable evidence, the police unit continue to trail the gang.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28Eventually, their persistence pays off
0:15:28 > 0:15:31when both cars stop at a petrol station car park.
0:15:31 > 0:15:36The meeting up at the petrol station shows association.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39It shows that the driver of the Golf
0:15:39 > 0:15:41and the driver of the Saab are known to each other,
0:15:41 > 0:15:43they've met up before,
0:15:43 > 0:15:46they've then caused a crash, which clearly is no random act.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49This was an induced collision
0:15:49 > 0:15:53done so that they could commit fraud against the insurance industry.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57The evidence was impossible to argue with
0:15:57 > 0:16:02and the gang was brought to justice with 12 defendants sentenced to a total of 19 years and 6 months.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06It was another successful result for the traffic unit,
0:16:06 > 0:16:07but there are still other fraudsters
0:16:07 > 0:16:11on the roads who care nothing for the safety of others.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14It's a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18And my team will use every method available in order to catch them.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22And that will be overt tactics, covert tactics,
0:16:22 > 0:16:27the use of the helicopter, the use of surveillance teams.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Any tactic that we can think of,
0:16:29 > 0:16:32we will use to catch these people.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Technology is increasingly used to detect fraud,
0:16:39 > 0:16:42but in some cases, it's used to create fraud, too.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45However, insurers are working hard to stay one click ahead
0:16:45 > 0:16:48as this next case demonstrates.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52Robin Reames is the Chief Claims Officer for an insurance company.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54They were contacted by a policyholder
0:16:54 > 0:16:57who reported an incident involving their vehicle.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00The claim was for damage to a vehicle, it was a total loss.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04So quite significant damage to a car, approximately £10,000 worth,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07which would mean it was not something that we would repair.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11Photos of the wreckage were sent to the insurer,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13standard procedure for a claim of this size.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17But there was something about the images that was less than picture perfect.
0:17:17 > 0:17:18Our suspicions were aroused
0:17:18 > 0:17:21because the photos that we received of the damage to the car
0:17:21 > 0:17:23didn't look right.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25What struck us was the damage to the front of the car.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27The quality of the photos around the damage
0:17:27 > 0:17:29to the tyres and the front wheels
0:17:29 > 0:17:30were not consistent
0:17:30 > 0:17:32with the photo quality of the rest of the car.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36The case clearly required further scrutiny,
0:17:36 > 0:17:40so the insurer called in an expert to put the evidence under the microscope.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43Grant Roughley is the forensic IT consultant
0:17:43 > 0:17:46asked to examine the images.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48There are several methods we can look at
0:17:48 > 0:17:51to see if these images have been tampered with in any way.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53A lot of these images come from
0:17:53 > 0:17:56digital cameras and they hold a signature to the images,
0:17:56 > 0:17:58similar to a fingerprint,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01which tells you where the picture was taken,
0:18:01 > 0:18:05what date, time, what exposure levels.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09In this case, digital fingerprints of these images were removed.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12The absence of this kind of data
0:18:12 > 0:18:15indicates that images have been altered from their original form.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19This didn't necessary prove that the photos had been tampered with,
0:18:19 > 0:18:22but then other evidence started to mount up.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25The images varied from very low-resolution images
0:18:25 > 0:18:27to very high-resolution images,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30which wasn't consistent with a general use of a digital camera.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33The inconsistency is particularly noticeable
0:18:33 > 0:18:36in this picture of the interior.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39As you can see here, it's a very high-resolution image
0:18:39 > 0:18:42consistent with a professional photographer.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45For somebody to take this type of shot would take two or three hours.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48The discrepancies continued in other shots.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52As you can see, the alloy wheel here is very rugby-shaped
0:18:52 > 0:18:56as opposed to a normal wheel as you would expect, round.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59Especially with the wall of the tyre,
0:18:59 > 0:19:00it's very thick at the top here,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02and then very thin
0:19:02 > 0:19:04and goes virtually to nothing
0:19:04 > 0:19:06on the back of the alloy wheel there.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11This photo has been manipulated to show an alloy wheel,
0:19:11 > 0:19:15which maybe wasn't on the vehicle at the time of the incident.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17It seems to be a better standard of alloy wheel
0:19:17 > 0:19:20than probably the one originally on the vehicle.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Not only were the pictures being altered,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26new elements were actually being added on.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29And the evidence of manipulation didn't stop there.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33The airbags in this image are quite visible,
0:19:33 > 0:19:37and as you can see from this image here,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40there's no airbags visible in the windscreen.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44Which leads to an unavoidable conclusion.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48It could be possible that the person who's claiming for this vehicle
0:19:48 > 0:19:51is trying to insinuate it was a high-impact collision,
0:19:51 > 0:19:53or hoping to have the vehicle written off.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56The evidence of fraud was stacking up.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00Our final conclusion with regards to the analysis of these photographs
0:20:00 > 0:20:03were in fact that they were poorly edited
0:20:03 > 0:20:07and as such, we believe that they were used
0:20:07 > 0:20:10in order to put forward a fraudulent claim.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13A report of the examination was compiled
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- and passed back to the insurer. - The expert found
0:20:15 > 0:20:19that those images had been tampered with,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22they'd been altered, they'd been taken from different cameras,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26and that the images that we had been sent showing damage to the car
0:20:26 > 0:20:30was not actually a true reflection of that damage.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33A fraudulent claim was clearly being made,
0:20:33 > 0:20:36but on investigation, the insurer found that the driver
0:20:36 > 0:20:39of the wrecked vehicle was totally innocent.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42So they looked again at the other people involved in the claim,
0:20:42 > 0:20:45the salvage yard and the assessor.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48What they uncovered next indicated a much more organised outfit.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57The salvage yard sent the assessor some photographs of the actual car.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00The assessor then doctored those
0:21:00 > 0:21:04to superimpose damage from a similar vehicle
0:21:04 > 0:21:07that had more significant damage done to it
0:21:07 > 0:21:10in order that that vehicle would be written off.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12When the real case was it probably was a car
0:21:12 > 0:21:15that could have been repaired at little value.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17The salvage agent would then be free to repair it
0:21:17 > 0:21:20and make a significant profit on selling it on later.
0:21:20 > 0:21:25Although the case didn't result in a prosecution, the insurer recovered their losses.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30They're also able to recognise and combat this type of fraud more easily.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33I think what surprised us was the lengths that someone would go to
0:21:33 > 0:21:35to doctor a photo and actually not do it terribly well.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40But it is an indication of the lengths that many people will go to to commit fraud
0:21:40 > 0:21:46and the way that we, Swiftcover, need to have highly-trained people
0:21:46 > 0:21:48to identify potential fraud,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51new methods, new ways of working,
0:21:51 > 0:21:56new scams, and that is a constant challenge for us.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00GULLS SCREECH
0:22:00 > 0:22:01IFED has come to arrest
0:22:01 > 0:22:06three suspects who they believe are connected to a suspected car insurance fraud.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11They arrested the first one early that morning and are pursuing the remaining two suspects.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14The trail has led them to a second property.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18The IFED team is optimistic they will find both suspects inside.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27Right, we're in.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31As they enter the property, they are met by the second suspect.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33All right, fella.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37Firstly, OK, I need to speak to you today regarding an allegation that's been made
0:22:37 > 0:22:42where it's alleged that you are involved in a conspiracy to defraud insurance companies.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Right? Let me... Hear me out, yeah?
0:22:47 > 0:22:49OK, so in relation to that offence and that allegation,
0:22:49 > 0:22:52I'm arresting you on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud
0:22:52 > 0:22:55and we'll be looking to interview you later on this morning.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59Although there's no sign of the third suspect in the flat,
0:22:59 > 0:23:03they make an important discovery of another kind.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06How many plants you got? Nine?
0:23:06 > 0:23:09I'm further arresting you on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13In relation to that offence, I remind you, you are under caution.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15- Yeah, sorry, mate. - All right. No problem.
0:23:17 > 0:23:18It's all right.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Well, that's the gentleman who we believe submitted the PI claim.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29He was the passenger. We've gone in there and I've arrested him
0:23:29 > 0:23:32in relation to that conspiracy to defraud.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37And we've uncovered there a small, little cultivation of cannabis sort of factory, if you like,
0:23:37 > 0:23:40he's got the air-con machine and everything else.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42He's got about, he said, nine plants in there,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44so he's cultivating cannabis.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46Although he says it's for his own personal use,
0:23:46 > 0:23:48that's quite a lot of cannabis.
0:23:51 > 0:23:52Sorry?
0:23:52 > 0:23:53Happy birthday for yesterday.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Take a seat. I'll try and drive carefully.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13The search continues for the third suspect, the owner of the sports car.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16We're on our way now to a company address
0:24:16 > 0:24:18where we know that one of
0:24:18 > 0:24:21the individuals involved in this fake claim is...
0:24:21 > 0:24:24It's his place of work, basically.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26They're like the body repair shop.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29And a lot of the repairs to the damage and things
0:24:29 > 0:24:31were meant to have been done through this company.
0:24:31 > 0:24:36So, we've got two arrested so far, as you're aware,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39we're going to go and pick up this guy who'll be the third.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41The first chap this morning has been interviewed,
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Scott's interviewed him this morning,
0:24:43 > 0:24:47he's just come out of interview, and the guy has admitted on interview
0:24:47 > 0:24:51that this accident is a complete fabrication,
0:24:51 > 0:24:55two of the vehicles were taken to the scene where the accident was meant to happen
0:24:55 > 0:24:57and one was deliberately driven down the side of the other.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02The rest of the damage was then caused back at the body repair shop in the yard there
0:25:02 > 0:25:05and they've caused damage to two of the other vehicles,
0:25:05 > 0:25:11and then just got together, put the claim in, alleging that the accident has occurred.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13So that's quite good progress for us.
0:25:13 > 0:25:18With the first suspect's confession, the case is looking strong,
0:25:18 > 0:25:22but IFED still needs to arrest and question the third suspect.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27MECHANICAL WHIRRING
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Is this him? Hello, mate?
0:25:32 > 0:25:35I'm Mark Forster from City of London Police, OK?
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department, OK?
0:25:37 > 0:25:40I need to speak to you about an allegation that's been made,
0:25:40 > 0:25:47where... The allegation is that you've conspired with others to defraud an insurance company.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49BLEEP!
0:25:49 > 0:25:51So in relation to that, I have to arrest you, OK?
0:25:51 > 0:25:55You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention, when questioned,
0:25:55 > 0:25:59something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03That's in relation, like I say, to conspiracy to defraud. OK? We'll have to take you away now.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Is your boss here, or are you in charge?
0:26:05 > 0:26:06I'm in charge, yeah.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Right, let's stick you in the cage, mate. All right, jump in.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14It's gone very, very, smoothly.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Very pleased that we've had one interview where the suspect
0:26:17 > 0:26:20has admitted that this is completely a fraud.
0:26:20 > 0:26:25And I fully expect that these three individuals
0:26:25 > 0:26:28will be charged in the very near future.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33So the message is, if you are committing this type of fraud
0:26:33 > 0:26:34and you continue to do so,
0:26:34 > 0:26:36then you'll probably get a visit
0:26:36 > 0:26:38from officers from the City of London Police.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42All three men were later charged and sentenced.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46One man was jailed for 14 months...
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Another was sent to prison for six months.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55And the last male... received a six-month jail term,
0:26:55 > 0:26:56suspended for 12 months.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd