An Olsztyn court has sentenced a couple to prison for orchestrating a long-term “crash-for-cash” scam that involved staging collisions across Poland and defrauding insurers of approximately 1.3 million PLN.
A Systematic Fraud Operation
According to the court, the male defendant, T. G., had been filing claims for traffic collisions since 2007. After meeting his partner, M. G., the pair divided roles to expand their criminal enterprise, targeting roads in Olsztyn, Warsaw, Białystok, and Łódź.
The man served as the primary driver, intentionally provoking collisions at roundabouts and intersections. Judge Adam Barczak of the Olsztyn Regional Court noted that T. G.’s driving maneuvers were specifically designed to surprise other motorists and leave them unable to avoid a crash.
Financial Gains and Legal Consequences
M. G. typically acted as the vehicle owner, filing claims with insurance companies. The court found that these firms paid out a total of nearly 1.3 million PLN in damages before discovering the fraudulent nature of the events.
The case went to trial after an insurance company alerted investigators. Prosecutors brought over 200 charges against the pair, and the trial commenced in November 2024. Most charges were upheld by the court, though both defendants were acquitted of a small number of counts.
Final Sentencing and Judicial Assessment
On Tuesday, May 26, the court sentenced T. G. to four years in prison and M. G. to two years and ten months. Both must provide restitution to the victimized insurance companies. The verdict is not yet final.
The court highlighted the high social harm of the crimes, emphasizing that the defendants treated fraud as a steady income source while endangering public safety. The defendants’ previous lack of a criminal record was considered the only mitigating factor.