Between 2019 and 2025, an organized crime ring orchestrated fake traffic incidents to fraudulently claim reimbursements from automotive and liability insurance policies, investigators say, prompting recent arrests in Silesia.
Investigation overseen by Katowice prosecutors
The Silesian County Criminal Prosecutor’s Office in Katowice supervises an inquiry into an organized crime group alleged to have defrauded from OC and AC policies from 2019 to 2025 by staging traffic incidents.
On 3 November, the prosecutor ordered the arrest of eight people in Dąbrowa Górnicza and Piekary Śląskie.
Arrests linked to “patchwork” collisions
The prosecution announced further actions targeting so‑called patchwork collisions and fabricated property damage.
Activities were led by the Department for Economic Crime Fight in KWP Katowice under the prosecutor’s supervision.
Eight additional suspects were detained in the investigation of the organized fraud.
Methodology of staged accidents and false claims
Investigators found that the group arranged staged traffic events, reported them to insurers as genuine collisions, and used documents to fake the rental of replacement vehicles.
They also issued falsified invoices to support their claims.
Unlawful payouts exceeding 55 million zlotys
The scheme was intended to secure unlawful compensation from insurance companies.
Insurers have paid more than 55 million zlotys in total damages to victims of the fraud.
Charges and court measures
The prosecutor charged the suspects with participation in an organized crime group and defrauding insurers.
Legal articles cited were Art. 258 § 1 kk, Art. 286 § 1 kk, and Art. 298 § 1 kk.
All suspects pleaded guilty and were subjected to police supervision and financial guarantees.
Scale of the operation
The investigation spans dozens of individuals, with over 40 suspects charged so far.
Secured assets from the suspects exceed 1.5 million zlotys.
The case is described as “developmental” by the prosecutor.
