A brazen crew of con artists has been wreaking havoc on New York City roadways for the past three months, employing reckless tactics to carry out a twisted insurance fraud scheme. These fraudsters, undeterred by the potential consequences, have been causing multiple car crashes, all for a petty payout, while relying on the same getaway car for their ringleader’s swift escape.
The scheme is as audacious as it is dangerous. The culprits, typically driving older vehicles, employ a tactic known as “brake-checking,” slamming on their brakes in front of unsuspecting drivers. This leads to a collision, after which the driver quickly swaps seats with a passenger, escaping in a second car while the others feign injuries from the crash.
Footage has resurfaced, showcasing one particularly chaotic incident on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. In the video from August 24, a silver Honda suddenly slows down, veering into the right lane before abruptly braking near Exit 15. A driver who was cut off could not stop in time and gently collided with the Honda, causing minimal damage. Yet, in a preposterous display, the Honda’s occupants hobbled out, pretending to be severely injured with stiff backs and necks.
Since August, this deceitful group has been caught on dashcam footage multiple times, employing the same ploy on the Belt Parkway while a red Kia SUV lurks nearby. Notably, this same Kia was involved in another viral crash earlier in October, further linking these incidents.
One victim, Ashpia Natasha, narrowly escaped disaster during a similar encounter on October 16. While driving in the left lane of the parkway in Queens, a silver Honda Civic suddenly veered in front of her and slammed on its brakes. Thanks to Natasha’s quick reflexes, she avoided a collision. However, the reckless driver then turned on the hazards and reversed straight into Natasha’s front bumper.
What’s most troubling is that, in both cases, the back window of the Honda was obscured, preventing witnesses from seeing what was happening inside. As the passengers began to inspect the supposed “damage,” the primary driver—a heavily tattooed man—made his getaway in the waiting red Kia.
Retired NYPD Detective Tom Burke, commenting on the incident, pointed out the ringleader’s manipulative tactics: “He’s the head guy — he’s the one making the money. The other people are just idiots. You can’t make this stuff up.”
The victims of the August crash confronted the fraudsters, questioning why they had slammed on their brakes. The response was defensive, with one passenger claiming, “Didn’t you see the car in front of me?” However, dashcam footage failed to reveal any vehicle ahead of the Honda, indicating the dishonesty at play.
What’s more alarming is how these conspirators recruit medical professionals willing to exaggerate the severity of their “injuries.” Lawyers, often in on the scheme, then sue the unsuspecting victims, compounding the fraud. “My insurance is investigating. So is their insurance carrier,” lamented one victim, expressing frustration over the ongoing charade.
The NYPD has been alerted to these incidents, and community members are taking matters into their own hands. Recently, a group of vigilant residents discovered the silver Honda used in the October crash parked in Brooklyn. Unafraid to take action, they vandalized the car, placing signs that read “Fraud” in the front windshield and “Rats” in the back, clearly signaling that the Bensonhurst neighborhood is onto these schemers.
This blatant disregard for safety and ethical behavior is not just a nuisance; it endangers lives and undermines the integrity of the legal system. As investigations unfold, one thing remains clear: the community will not stand idly by while these fraudsters take advantage of innocent drivers.
