Warning following three reports of crash for cash scams

Hundreds of pounds in cash has been handed over to suspected scammers after they conned motorists into thinking they had damaged their car.

Police have received at least three reports today, Monday 29 August, of incidents having happened in the areas of Reservoir Road in Gloucester and Brooklyn Road in Cheltenham.

In the scam, motorists have been driving along the road when they have heard a loud noise from the passenger side of their vehicle.

They have then pulled over, after being concerned they had been in a collision or something had hit their car.

On all three occasions the motorist was then approached by two men from another vehicle, who claimed that their wing mirror had been hit and damage had been caused.

The wing mirror on the vehicle, which was described as a five-door silver saloon, was bent backwards. One of the men then stated a fee for the damage to be fixed.

On all three occasions reported to police the victims either handed over cash or travelled to cashpoints to withdraw money.

The men were described as being white and both spoke with an Irish accent. One was aged in his mid to late 40s, of a stocky build, with short shaven hair which was greying.

The younger male was described as being of a medium build with brown hair.

Police are warning motorists to be vigilant to this type of 'crash for cash' scam, and to not hand over any money to fraudsters.

Similar 'crash for cash' frauds include scammers slamming on their brakes at busy junctions and roundabouts so the driver behind cannot stop in time.

If you feel you have been a victim, note as much information as possible about the driver, passenger, vehicle they were travelling in and circumstances of the incident.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to report it to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 325 of 29 August: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/us/a-crime-that-has-already-been-reported