New York City’s Belt Parkway has turned into the set of a low-budget crime thriller, with a gang of fraudsters staging “accidents” for quick cash and leaving a trail of chaos in their wake.
This crew has been at it for months, causing deliberate crashes by brake-checking unsuspecting drivers, only to hobble out of their vehicles clutching their backs and necks like they’ve been in a 12-car pileup. And, as it turns out, this isn’t exactly a masterfully executed operation; they’re pulling these scams with the same silver Honda and a red Kia SUV, which has practically become their calling card.
The ringleader? A tattooed guy who knows his way around a scam—and the getaway. Once the crash is set up, he casually switches seats with a passenger and hops into the red Kia to make his escape, leaving his co-conspirators to act injured and “negotiate” with their latest mark. And it’s not just a one-time hustle: surveillance footage from August and October shows the same red Kia with the same license plate showing up to collect the fraud mastermind after each staged accident. This guy’s operating like he’s untouchable, recycling cars, locations, and even his crew.
One recent victim, Ashpia Natasha, managed to narrowly avoid falling into their trap. She had the presence of mind (and the quick reflexes) to stop when the silver Honda abruptly slammed on its brakes, but not before the driver threw it into reverse, ramming her bumper. The kicker? Natasha’s dashcam footage captured the entire swap, including the tattooed ringleader’s getaway into the waiting Kia.
Be aware.. this scam is running everywhere in the United States
This was in Queens, New York
People slammed their breaks in front of you or ran in reverse into you like this video pic.twitter.com/SIvCZAzV7f— 🇩 🇴 🇲 🇮 (@CyDomi) October 22, 2024
“I knew he was full of s–t. My insurance is investigating. So is their insurance carrier,” the victim said. “But it’s just bulls–t. And, of course, they are attorney-represented for bodily injury.”
Of course, there’s a bigger racket behind these crashes. According to former NYPD Detective Tom Burke, the ringleader’s got a well-oiled machine of medical professionals and lawyers at the ready to file claims and inflate injury reports. These fraudsters aren’t just targeting drivers—they’re taking on insurance companies with a whole network of “injury specialists” and sketchy attorneys looking to milk every possible dime.
“He’s the head guy — he’s the guy who went out and recruited these other morons to be victims in his scam,” retired NYPD Detective Tom Burke said.
“That’s why he leaves the scene,” he continued. “He’s the main guy. He’s the one making the money. The other people are just idiots. You can’t make this stuff up.”
Naturally, New Yorkers have had enough. A group of vigilantes took justice into their own hands last week, finding the fraudsters’ infamous silver Honda and “redecorating” it. The car was discovered in Brooklyn with windows smashed, “Fraud” written in big letters across the windshield, and “Rats” scrawled on the back—making it clear that the Bensonhurst neighborhood is hip to this crew’s antics.
Inside Edition story on car involved in insurance fraud in NYC pic.twitter.com/qc04ocCr5q
— curious side of 𝕏 (@curioXities) October 24, 2024
While the NYPD investigates, these con artists may finally be seeing the end of their “workman’s comp” hustle. But as long as there are shady doctors, cash-hungry lawyers, and schemers willing to stage their way to a paycheck, there will always be a handful of fraudsters ready to turn America’s roads into their own personal payday.
