Gang’s Insurance Money Scam Unraveled: Leader’s Murder Raises Questions

Gang fakes accidents and collects insurance money. The boss can no longer be accused: he was murdered.

The wheels of justice worked not just slowly, but at a snail’s pace: brazen fraudsters ended up in court four years after they were charged. It’s about a gang that made real money from fake accidents. Around 90 fake car accidents from 2008 to 2014. Insurance companies pocketed around one million euros. Boss in the crime thriller: Dariusz S., murdered in Poland in 2015.

Now in the dock for fraud: motor vehicle expert Frank J. (59) and lawyer Magedy M. (61) in a wheelchair. One forged 57 reports, the other registered cars that were used for seven bodywork damages.

The same luxury Mercedes was hit 20 times

In 2014 an insurance company became suspicious. An ad. Investigations were underway. In 2016, a search was carried out at M., which referred to one of his sons. A hard drive was secured. Then there is a list about car crashes.

The scam: Accidents between those involved were agreed upon. Expensive sheet metal damage to make a lot of money. A junk car crashes into a luxury car. The same luxury Mercedes was hit around 20 times. Crime scenes across Europe, often in Poland, also in Germany, Luxembourg, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.

Frank J., a vehicle expert from Hanover, received 1,000 euros for a cheating report. According to the indictment, the aim was to “always produce the same damage.” Previous damage was concealed.

After a lengthy investigation, the public prosecutor’s office brought charges against four men and one woman in 2019. But nothing happened for a long time. Because detention cases were piling up in court. They have priority. The suspected car tricksters were at large – the police had tried in vain to get arrest warrants in 2016.

Because of the length of the proceedings, the defendants get off with probation

J. now confessed in general. M. complained: “I wanted to use the money I received to support my son, he had financial problems.”

As in the first trial three weeks ago against two other members of the gang, there was probation – because of the confessions and the long duration of the proceedings. 21 months for J., M. received 15. In addition, J. 57,000 euros and M. 23,578 euros in unlawfully obtained assets are to be confiscated.