London Duo Caught Faking Crash for Cash
Two London men have been handed suspended prison sentences after grossly exaggerating a minor accident to claim personal injury and vehicle damage payouts.
Fake Crash Story Unravels
Niaz Mohammadi, 50, and Raheem, 22, both from Hayes, claimed their Audi A3 was hit from behind by a Ford Transit van at 30 to 40 mph while stopped at a zebra crossing. They said the van sped off the scene after causing serious damage and injury.
But Allianz, the van driver’s insurer, spotted glaring inconsistencies in the pair’s story. The van driver said he accidentally nudged the Audi at no more than 3 mph while braking for a red light. There was minimal damage, no visible injuries, and he only saw Mohammadi in the car.
Engineer’s Report Exposes the Scam
A forensic expert confirmed the Audi’s damage didn’t match a high-speed rear-end smash. Allianz referred the case to the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED).
Raheem first stuck to the fake story but buckled when confronted with photos from the van driver showing no real damage. He admitted he wasn’t even in the car and regretted getting involved.
Mohammadi, however, stuck to his tale, insisting the van driver was drunk and abusive – even when shown Raheem’s confession and evidence. He only admitted guilt in court.
Justice Served at Westminster Magistrates Court
- Niaz Mohammadi was sentenced to 4 months in prison, suspended for a year, and ordered to pay £1,372 in compensation and fees.
- Raheem received a 4-month suspended sentence for 18 months, and the same financial penalties.
Sajida Zaman from IFED said: “Unfortunately, we see far too many opportunistic fraudsters profiting from an honest accident. Mohammadi made defamatory claims and stuck to his story until the bitter end. Raheem, unlike Mohammadi, accepted responsibility and cooperated with our investigation. Hopefully, he’s learned his lesson.”
James Burge, Allianz’s Head of Counter Fraud, added: “Opportunistic fraudsters may believe they can profit by lying and exaggerating. When we spot inconsistencies, we dig deeper. We hope these sentences serve as a warning to anyone tempted to con the system.”
