City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) and City of London Corporation’s Trading Standards officers have visited five moped garages as part of an ongoing effort to combat moped-enabled ‘crash for cash’ fraud.
The inspections, conducted in Croydon, Harlesden, North Finchley, Clapham, and Newham, aimed to ensure compliance with the law and address any non-compliance. Moped garages may unwittingly harbour vehicles linked to ‘crash for cash’ fraud—where fraudsters intentionally cause collisions to claim compensation from insurers.
This fraudulent activity poses a safety risk to innocent motorists and drives up insurance premiums. During the inspections, one person was arrested for immigration offences, and three mopeds were seized in connection with stolen vehicle reports. Hundreds of moped license plates were logged for research purposes, linking some to known ‘crash for cash’ incidents.
Detective Inspector Marek Coghill emphasised the importance of creating a hostile environment for potential fraudsters. The coordinated effort sends a clear message that such activities won’t be tolerated.
The City Corporation’s Trading Standards team collaborates with various agencies to enforce the law, protecting consumers and reputable businesses.
Reports indicate that moped-enabled ‘crash for cash’ fraud is on the rise in London. IFED and its partners are actively investigating links between garages and enabling services profiting from staged incidents.
Source: City of London Police