Bankruptcy Prof Blog

Since the introduction of No Win No Fee agreements, the opportunity to receive compensation has become more accessible for those whose lives have been affected and this money can really help. However over recent years there has been an increase in individuals and gangs taking advantage of the system and ’setting up’ accidents in order to make a claim which they are not entitled to.

One of these scams has been carried out across the North West, most frequently in Manchester & Liverpool. The perpetrator, Mohammed Patel orchestrated a series of road traffic accidents from which he unlawfully gained 1.6 million in compensation over a period of three years.

Patel targeted accident hotspots such as roundabouts and drove in such a way that another motorist would crash in to the back of him. Then he, and whoever else was in the car with him, would get out clutching their necks and complaining they felt dizzy or lethargic.

One such motorist told how the men then got out of the car, holding their necks in an almost comical manner, and also commented on how calm they were considering they’d just been involved in a crash.

It was a group of office workers, who eventually revealed the scam, after they had seen Patel crash multiple times on the same roundabout outside their office. They reported what they had seen and an enquiry was launched, which was when the true extent of the scams was revealed.

At the end of the investigation it transpired that 24 other men were involved in the ‘accidents’ and compensation claims, but Patel was involved in all of them and was sentenced to prison time.

This type of scam is not just morally unsound and illegal; they are also highly dangerous and put the welfare of innocent road users and pedestrians at risk. Furthermore they can also lead to an increase in insurance premiums across the board, meaning sensible and honest drivers suffer too.

If you have a genuine neck injury claim then seek the advice of an expert no-win no-fee soliciotr to help you with your claim.