Criminals have invented an entirely new kind of Crash for Cash (C4C) scam called Crash for Ready Cash (C4RC). That’s according to leading anti-fraud specialist Apu. C4RC is an “aggressive new strain” of C4C, warns Apu.
It works like this (but please don’t try this at home). An opportunistic cash-strapped criminal brakes suddenly in front of another driver (ideally a lone female or some old bloke or something). The criminal then leaps out and intimidates the victim into giving them some cash. “Pay up, or I’m telling your insurers,” they’ll say.
Now, obviously, C4RC is a quick fix version of C4C and won’t net the same kind of pay out as the traditional claims-based route. But, as the name suggests, it’s ready cash. Handy if you’ve left the house without your purse or you’re short a few quid for medicines or booze or whatever. Plus it stops insurers getting involved and asking awkward questions.
Apu’s director of investigational services is clearly impressed. “This emerging trend,” he says, “shows just how entrepreneurial criminals can be. They just want the money and this is a faster, easier way for them to get it.
“It’s the modern day equivalent of highway robbery,” Neil says, with a motor vehicle taking the place of the more traditional black horse, and a menacing manner plus the threat of involving insurers standing in for a pair of pistols. This being the twenty-first century, of course, tricorn hats, riding boots, and capes are strictly optional.
So popular has C4RC become lately that Neil himself had a taste of it. There he was in his car, minding his own business, in Birmingham for purposes he chooses not to reveal, when all of a sudden he clocks a couple of geezers in a red Hyundai screech to a stop in front of a young lady (in another car).
Now, our Neil’s an ex-copper and he knows how to handle himself (so to speak). So he tucks in front of the Hyundai and has a go at nabbing the bloke. But, quick as you like, Mr C4RC’s back in his motor and hares off, ramming Neil’s car as he whips past.
Neil asks around and learns the Hyundai’s only pulled the exact same stunt just round the corner one hour earlier. Another female. No surprise. Now Neil’s going public. So no other innocent motorists have to face “menacing, personal confrontations” or worse yet: getting fleeced by the C4RC crew.
Police are warning motorists to beware of a red Hyundai with a battered rear end.
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