4-member gang arrested for UAE traffic scam

Umm Al Quwain - They fabricated 20 road accidents.

Late last September, the Umm Al Quwain Police arrested a four-member gang of fraudsters - all Arabs - involved in reporting 20 fabricated road accidents all over the country to collect compensation and damages from the respective insurance companies.
Also read: Duo fined Dh150,000 for 'faking' a UAE accident
Major General Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmad Al Mualla, commander-in- chief of Umm Al Quwain Police, said the traffic and patrols department was alerted about some recurrent road accidents involving the same vehicles and drivers over a short period of time.
"Investigations showed that the road accidents, involving the same vehicles and drivers, were reported in several emirates, including the emirate of Umm Al Quwain."
The UAQ Police, in collaboration with law enforcement bodies in other emirates, tracked down the fraudsters, and arrested them, he added.
"The conmen admitted that they intentionally committed the reported road accidents in several emirates without repairing their partially damaged vehicles each time to collect damages and compensation from insurance companies."
Col Saeed Obaid bin Aran, director of traffic and patrols department, UAQ Police, said they first discovered the traffic insurance scam while tracking the road accidents registered in the traffic system.
"Most of the accidents reported occurred at parking lots and during late hours, involving the same drivers and vehicles."
The four fraudsters were arrested, he added.
"They admitted to fabricating over 20 accidents nationwide, including five in Umm Al Quwain."
The suspects have been referred to the UAQ public prosecution, while the insurance companies involved were notified of the scam.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Umm Al Quwain