Cash for crash fraudster jailed for staging accident

Balraj Singh Thumber from Wolverhampton, claimed Viktor Sivak pulled out of his driveway on Pleck Road, Walsall, and smashed straight into the side of his Audi A4.

The 41-year-old told insurers he sustained whiplash and shoulder injuries as a result of the accident and claimed thousands of pounds worth of damage had been done to his car.

His total claim, which included a substantial sum to pay for the cost of a hire car, amounted to a quarter of a million pounds.

But investigators at LV insurance looked into the claim when it emerged that Thumber and Sivak, who was said to have been driving a BMW 320, knew each other, and the policy had been taken out only two days prior to the accident taking place.

The firm also received several calls from a man claiming to be Sivak's friend to arrange an inspection of the vehicle.

Yet when the insurer tried to arrange an inspection, Sivak would not confirm the location of the vehicle.

The investigation also revealed Thumber had previously been a named driver on a separate insurance policy for Sivak's BMW when it was owned by another man.

The same man later transferred ownership of the BMW to Sivak and used the same credit card to pay for his insurance policy just two days before the accident on January 21, 2010.

Both men had claimed never to have seen each other before the accident.

Forensic engineers commissioned by the insurance company concluded the damage to both cars was inconsistent with the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Thumber issued County Court proceedings against the insurance company when they refused to pay out, but attempted to drop his claim just days before the trial was actually due to start.

LV began contempt of court proceedings against Thumber on July 15 at the Royal Courts of Justice which led to him receiving a 12-month sentence in his absence.

He was arrested at Wolverhampton Police Station on July 16.

John O'Roarke, managing director at LV, said: "Every year there are tens of thousands of staged accidents, like this one, which put the safety of innocent motorists at risk.

"The evidence in this case was overwhelming and as a result Thumber received a custodial sentence.

"We hope this sends a message to other fraudsters to deter them from committing this type of crime."