Macedonia: Police Arrested in Accident Scam

December 16, 2011

Macedonian authorities say 29 people, including 17 police officers, have been arrested on allegations they staged car accidents to collect on insurance claims.

Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska on Wednesday said the alleged scam, using damaged cars to stage new accident scenes, has cost insurance companies at least (euro) 30,000 ($39,000) in bogus claims.

The suspects were charged with multiple counts of fraud-related offenses.

Jankulovska says arrest warrants have been issued for two other suspects, while another 26 people are being investigated for possible participation in the scam.