City of London Police's Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), supported by the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) played a part on the case.
The pair appeared at Luton Crown Court on Friday 14 August 2020 after they pleaded guilty to one count each of 'Conspiracy to Defraud'.
Corey Ashleigh-John and Chloe Jade Pitcher, both 24, received four months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months, a curfew, and are subject to a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR).
In total, it's believed the couple profited £10,000 from their fraudulent scams, however they would have gained £50,000if all of their bogus insurance claim attempts had been successful.
"I'm pleased that justice has been served to these two fraudsters. It's a very positive outcome considering the length and complexity of this investigation which has affected more than a dozen insurers, and thanks go to the talented teams at the IFB and IFED."
"The IFB provided support to IFED's investigation to help untangle this duo's web of fabricated motor collision claims. 'Crash for Cash' scams are a serious problem that cost innocent premium-paying motorists £340million a year. Culprits will be caught. If anyone has evidence of insurance fraud make sure to report it to the IFB's confidential Cheatline." – Stephen Dalton, Head of Intelligence and Investigations at the IFB.
While many 'Crash for Cash' scams take place on a public road, in this instance the scam Ashleigh-John and Pitcher were orchestrating is known as a 'contrived accident', where fraudulent claims are submitted for incidents which never physically took place.
While contrived 'Crash for Cash' scams may not pose physical harm to the public, they still have a significant economic impact to honest-premium motorists who have to cover the £340million incurred by insurers because of these scams.
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