Green slip rort: Iraqi refugees part of stolen car CTP scams costing NSW drivers $400m a year
CRIME syndicates led by Iraqi refugees on temporary protection visas as well as Afghani and Vietnamese crims are behind a wave of car insurance fraud driving up green slips prices.
NSW
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ORGANISED crime syndicates led by Iraqi refugees on temporary protection visas as well as Afghani and Vietnamese crims are behind a wave of car insurance fraud which is driving up all NSW motorists’ green slip prices.
Strike Force Ravens, a police taskforce investigating the compulsory third party insurance scams, yesterday moved on the Lansvale’s Floyd Bay boat ramp on the Georges River to drag out dumped stolen cars believed to be part of the massive fraud scheme.
At least one vehicle was identified after being dragged out by towing crews and police divers last night.
The fraud involves the use of minor or even fake crashes being reported, either to insurance companies or the Police Assistance Line. Conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder in one or two-year-old infants are often fraudulently declared as part of the reports.
To avoid costs associated with court battles, insurance companies pay out the claims, worth tens of thousands. Police “strongly suspect” the scams cover hundreds of CTP insurance claims and involve doctors and solicitors.
On Wednesday, detectives raided two premises in a bid to gather evidence and lay charges over the racket.
During the execution of search warrants at offices in Auburn and Bankstown, police seized a variety of documents and electronic storage devices for forensic examination.
The commander of the Fraud and Cybercrime Squad, Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis (left), said that the scams were intricate and well organised.
“From our investigations thus far, we strongly suspect that medical practitioners and solicitors have been complicit in these fraudulent CTP schemes,” Mr Katsogiannis said.
“We’re appealing to the community for information that may assist us ... and I also want to send out a strong warning to anyone making or assisting fraudulent CTP (claims) to expect a visit from our detectives from Strike Force Ravens very soon.
“It’s important that we put a stop to this culture of entitlement.
“It impacts financially not only on the state of NSW but on each and every one of us who registers our motor vehicle and has our green slip.
“We have looked at hundreds of claims and we have probed the accuracy of these claims and we can say the estimate of around $400 million per annum it costs the CTP scheme is fairly accurate.
“It’s (also) a timely reminder to legal and medical practitioners ... (to) ensure they conduct due diligence when dealing with claimants.”
The Daily Telegraph understands that the scam’s ringleaders include Iraqi asylum seekers, who often hire community members to make the claims for large windfalls.
Afghani and Vietnamese communities are also believed to be involved, with South Western Sydney bearing much larger footprint for green slip claims as a result of the fraud.
“Investigations under Strike Force Ravens are continuing and further police operations are expected,” a police statement said.
Finance Minister Victor Dominello set up the green slip fraud taskforce which led to the establishment of the police strike force in August last year. Mr Dominello said the NSW government’s new reforms, which will stop claimants being able to go to court over minor injuries, would help crack down on the fraud.
The government has already promised savings of $120-$200 a year off the back of the reforms.
Mr Dominello has previously said fraudulent claims are costing everyone in NSW $75 a year in insurance costs.
“This is not a fraud against insurance companies; this is a fraud against every motorist in NSW,” Mr Dominello said.
“The NSW government’s green slip reforms will smash the business model of these fraudsters and leave them nowhere to hide.
“Obviously I hope the perpetrators brought to justice.”
Police Minister Troy Grant said: “What we see in this operation is a stark example in the actual cost of crime to the community and the government is learning how to work across government to address the crime problem.”
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