Police warn motorists of fraudulent accident scams

AMMAN — Police on Thursday warned motorists of fraudsters involved in fabricating traffic and running accidents to blackmail motorists into paying them compensation.

Police Spokesperson Lt. Col. Amer Sartawi said that although “this phenomenon is on the decrease, we still receive occasional complaints from victims of such scams”, Sartawi said.

“We urge motorists to follow the proper legal procedures so they would not fall victim to such fraudulent acts,” Sartawi told The Jordan Times.

The police official added that suspects would suggest to motorists they target, when faking an accident, that calling the police will cost them more, advising them to pay them compensation to avoid legal procedures.  

The police official stressed that motorists should immediately call 911 to file a complaint or wait for traffic and criminal investigators to arrive at the scene to protect their legal rights.

“Traffic investigators can access if there is a real accident or if it is fabricated,” Sartawi explained.

The presence of experienced traffic investigators will also work to secure the rights of both parties because they will take photos and document the incident for later legal process if needed, Sartawi explained. In addition, the Public Security Department has a database of suspects and convicted individuals who “defrauded motorists in the past”. 

The police official added that the law has stiffened the punishment against perpetrators of fake accidents.

The punishment for such offence is JD500, according to Sartawi, adding that if the individual becomes a repeated offender then he/she could face a prison term ranging from three to six months and a fine ranging between JD500 to JD1000.

The Public Security Department (PSD) and the Central Traffic Department issued similar warnings on their social media pages.        

Jordanians reacted to the call made by the PSD on their social media page by praising the warning announcement.

Musab Banat wrote: “Your efforts are much appreciated.”

“A fine must also be imposed on motorists who hit the break suddenly without the presence of an obstacle, vehicle, signal, or bump in front of him/her, only to cause an accident with the vehicle behind him/her since the law stipulates that the one who collides with you from behind is the one who caused the accident.”

 Meanwhile, Jamal Anqaw agreed with Banat, saying that he faced a similar experience “with motorists passing my vehicle at high speed then hitting the break suddenly so I would crash into them from behind”.

“We urge the traffic department to impose the harshest penalties on such motorists,” Anqawi stressed.