A FRAUDSTER who was part of a gang which caused accidents to con insurance companies has been jailed.

Munir Khan, 28, of Springfield Road, Walthamstow, and 11 fellow gang members based in north east London would target unsuspecting motorists across Essex and Kent.

They circled busy roundabouts in a convoy and targeted up to six drivers a day.

A first car would make a unexpected manouvre, such as pulling out in front of the victim’s car, forcing them to crash.

The first car would then leave the scene, but a second car would stop and the driver would claim to have been a victim.

The driver and passengers of the second car would then make large claims to the victim’s insurance company for fake injuries or non-existant hire cars.

The gang are said to have pocketed an estimated £235,000 before being arrested following an undercover operation earlier this year.

Eleven members of the gang pleaded guilty in November after being charged with conspiring to defraud insurance conpanies.

The gang’s ring-leader, Shahzada Fahad, 24, who was staying at various addresses in Woodford Green, was sentenced to two years and eight months.

Khan was sentenced to eighteen months at Southwark Crown Court on Monday (December 19).

Detective Superintendent John Hollands said: “This organised criminal network had absolutely no regard for their victims, old or young – it was whoever was most convenient at the time.

“Unfortunately, my team continuously investigates this sort of crime and that’s why it’s so important that people are aware of it.

“If you are involved in a collision involving two other vehicles and the vehicle that caused the collision mysteriously disappears, be suspicious.”

He added suspicious motorists should report the crash to the police or visit the Met’s Road Safe London web page.

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