A motorist named Ashpia Natasha once believed she was the target of aggressive driving, until video footage revealed what seemed to be a premeditated collision. The dash cam footage depicted a silver Honda suddenly stopping directly in front of Natasha’s Acura and unexpectedly backing into it. Subsequently, three individuals exited the vehicle and began filming the aftermath of the impact. A fourth person left the Honda shortly afterwards and climbed into a red Kia that promptly departed the scene.
On a typical errand run to Long Island last Wednesday, Ashpia found herself abruptly cut off by a Honda Civic in the leftmost lane of the Belt Parkway. She was forced to hit her brakes hard and halt completely. In a surprising twist, the Honda reversed immediately afterwards, forcefully colliding with her stationary Acura, and then advanced forward. The dash cam video revealed the shocking sight of four people emerging from the silver vehicle, clutching their heads as if hurt, and swiftly taking snapshots of Natasha’s vehicle.
Now, both Ashpia and certain specialists believe the incident was an elaborate attempt to commit insurance fraud. The National Insurance Crime Bureau, an organization that studies insurance claims, characterizes the incident as a quintessential instance of a planned insurance fraud maneuver unfolding in real time.
In spite of the reckless incident, Ashpia escaped unscathed. Her vehicle, however, sustained substantial damage amounting to an estimated $8,300. According to her, the cost of repairs was covered by her insurance policy. The New York Police Department reported that their fraudulent collision investigation squad was in charge of examining the incident thoroughly.
At the time, it was unclear who the occupants of the other vehicle were or whether they had presented any statement regarding the encounter. In New York, as per a 2019 law, orchestrating a car crash with the intention to exploit insurance coverage is deemed a felony.
When the passengers of the Honda exited the vehicle, they feigned confusion about what had transpired. They requested Ashpia’s insurance details and she willingly provided them. When she mentioned that her husband would arrive within a quarter of an hour to assist her, she was told that they were hurried. As she examined her vehicle to assess if it was still functional, the passengers of the Honda re-entered their vehicle and sped away.
The dash cam, mounted both in the front and rear of her car, captured a second vehicle – a red Kia – following closely behind her and activating its hazard signals just before the collision. Immediately following the accident, the red vehicle moved ahead of the Honda. The fourth individual then hopped into the Kia and ventured off.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau categorizes this incident experienced by Ms. Natasha as a variant of a ‘swoop and squat’. This entails two motorists in collusion, staging an accident and making it seem as though the blame lies on the innocent party. However, there are several different forms of staged accidents.
One such method is a ‘left or right turn drive down’, where certain drivers signal another motorist to perform a turn, block their path midway, and collide into the side of their vehicle. Another technique is a ‘curb drive down’, which involves one vehicle moving away from the curb and merging into the traffic, only to be deliberately hit by another.
It is challenging to determine the frequency of these types of incidents, but it’s known that advanced criminal networks partake in such illegal endeavors. What can one do to safeguard oneself from such scenarios?
Alec Slatky recommends dash cams as the most effective means of protection against fraud. He further advised adhering to the basic safety norms – such as maintaining ample distance from other vehicles and moving into a shoulder lane when possible. However, implementing these rules often proves to be more difficult in reality.
When a dash cam is not readily available, using your mobile phone’s camera can also prove to be helpful. Recording any vehicular damage and the number of occupants in other vehicles post collision could provide crucial evidence. The Insurance Bureau also advises against tailgating and recommends calling the police promptly when involved in accidents.
Be on guard for ‘runners’ and ‘cappers’, individuals who suddenly show up at accident sites to direct victims to specific medical practitioners or lawyers. Equally, one should be suspicious of unexpected tow trucks appearing at accident scenes that have not been summoned either by you or by the police.