Police appeal to drivers caught in 'crash for cash' scam to come forward

Police are appealing for victims who believed they have been scammed in a ‘crash for cash’ scheme to come forward.

It follows two incidents reported to Gloucestershire Constabulary last week, involving cars intentionally stopping and forcing other vehicles to collide with them. The incidents happened on the A419 Swindon Road and A419 Cirencester Road.

In the first reported collision, which took place on Tuesday 15 December, the suspects used a white Audi, with tinted windows in the rear and back window, and a red VW Scirocco to carry out the scam.

Officers believe the two cars were randomly stopping, resulting in cars colliding with them. The suspects would then either speed away or stop to ask the victim to hand over money at the roadside, in order to stop them informing the insurance company.

Incidents were also reported on the 17 December, when a silver VW Golf and a black Seat were used. On this occasion, one victim has handed over £500 to the suspects to avoid getting an insurance company involved.

It is believed that other cars may have been used on other occasions and police would like to speak to any drivers who have been involved in a similar crash in the area on or around those dates. 

Anyone with information should contact us through the website, quoting incident 317 of 15 December or incident 292 of 17 December: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/us/a-crime-that-has-already-been-reported/. Alternatively you can call us on 101.

Five men have been arrested in connection with the incidents. No further action is being taken against one man while the other four have been released under investigation.