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Drivers are being warned about a new breed of staged accidents as fraudsters get increasingly inventive in the wake of clampdowns and increased detection of previous methods of faking accidents.
Accident investigation company APU is warning that criminals are flashing their lights to allow drivers out of junctions or petrol stations before accelerating and causing a deliberate collision, then denying having signalled to let the innocent party out.
"The adoption of flashing headlights and beckoning the driver results in a 'your word against mine' situation when it comes to apportioning blame," said Neil Thomas, APU's director of investigative services.
"By appearing to offer the right of way, the criminal simply continues his journey into a collision, holding the victim at fault for turning across him, which, of course, cannot be denied under law.
"It is yet another example of how criminal gangs are becoming more sophisticated and attempting to stay one step ahead of suspicion."
The company claims it has detected evidence of a "significant number" of this type of accident, and the Institute of Advanced Motorists has released guidance on what to do if a driver suspects they have been caught up in a fraudulent accident situation.
As well as recommending drivers decline a fellow motorist's flashed invitation to pull out in front of them, the organisation's training manager Simon Elstow gave the following advice:
. If you're suspicious, don't ask them directly about it at the scene but keep careful notes.
. Try to take photos of the damage to all vehicles, discreetly if possible.
. Get a description of the driver and count the number of people in the other vehicle. Take photos, discreetly if possible, of all the people in the vehicle.
. If you need the emergency services, call 999, and if you are suspicious about the incident, tell the police when you ring.
. Stay calm. You'll need to swap details with other drivers whatever happens.
Elstow added: "'Flash for cash' scams are costing millions of pounds through our insurance premiums, and some are so reckless that they risk lives.
"Collisions are stressful and emotionally draining, but it's important to be prepared in case you are involved in one."
The new tactic is a departure from the previous method of a fraudster deliberately braking unexpectedly to cause a rear-end collision that would be blamed on the innocent party behind.
Last month, details emerged of a case where 22 people were found guilty after a five-year police investigation that led to the prosecution of an insurance scam ring in Luton estimated to have been worth £5.3m.
Accidents were either induced, faked, staged or exaggerated, with Bedfordshire police finding the criminals hailed from a variety of trades and professions including the motor, legal and medical industries.
APU claimed that 380 false insurance claims are made every day, costing the industry £1.7m per year and pushing up insurance premiums.
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