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'Crash for cash' scam man jailed 'Crash for cash' scam man jailed
(21 minutes later)
A 24-year-old man has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after admitting his part in a £1.6m "crash for cash" conspiracy in Greater Manchester.A 24-year-old man has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after admitting his part in a £1.6m "crash for cash" conspiracy in Greater Manchester.
Manchester Crown Court was told that Mohammed Patel deliberately caused at least 93 car crashes in three years, each costing insurers about £17,000.Manchester Crown Court was told that Mohammed Patel deliberately caused at least 93 car crashes in three years, each costing insurers about £17,000.
Patel, of Nottingham Drive, Bolton, admitted a number of charges, including conspiracy to commit fraud. Patel, of Nottingham Drive, Bolton, admitted a number of charges.
He was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester. He charged £500 a time to stage accidents, which enabled car owners to claim for bogus damages from insurers.
Earned £46,000
Patel, who was at the heart of the conspiracy, forced a number of low speed crashes by braking suddenly, mainly at roundabouts, Minshull Street Crown Court was told.
As a result of the conspiracy he earned about £46,000. But the cost to the insurance industry was huge, the court heard.
Patel pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud, six counts of dangerous driving and four counts of driving while disqualified.
A number of other defendants, who have been convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud, are also awaiting sentence.
Patel was also banned from driving for three-and-a-half years.