DOZENS of people have made their first appearance at Crown Court in connection with a “crash for cash” insurance scam.
Each of the 33 people is charged with conspiracy to defraud Allianz Insurance as a result of fictitious traffic accidents during 2005.
Their appearance at Liverpool Crown Court follows a complex three-year fraud investigation by Merseyside police’s crime operations unit.
They are accused of staging collisions at different locations to profit from pay-outs from the insurance firm.
The alleged scam came to light when complaints about criminal behaviour were made by Allianz Insurance.
It followed a significant amount of claims made in the Merseyside area two years ago by people connected to a communications company.
Judge Graham Morrow, QC, fixed a plea and case management hearing for April 20 next year.
A provisional trial date was also set for October 5, 2009.
