Three arrests in fraudulent motor insurance claims probe

Gardaí arrested three men and seized computer records and written documentation as part of an operation against a gang responsible for fraudulent motor insurance claims.

The three men, aged from 20 to 40, were arrested early yesterday at locations in the Millstreet, Mallow and Midleton areas.

A senior Garda spokesman said this brought to 20 the number of people so far questioned as part of “Operation Nascar”.

Gardaí have spent several months working on the operation in conjunction with insurance companies which are trying to crack down on fraudulent claims. It is believed the gang staged crashes and subsequently made claims for personal injury and material damage.

The arrests were made yesterday by members of the Organised Crime Unit and Fraud Investigation Unit based at Anglesea Street Garda Station along with detectives from the Kanturk, Mallow and Midleton Garda Districts.

Searches were also undertaken at a number of properties.

“We seized computer records and documents which will be examined as part of the investigation,” a Garda spokesman said.

The men were being questioned at Garda stations in Cork City, Macroom and Kanturk.

They are being detained under section 4 and section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Gardaí say the gang members are predominantly based in Co Cork, although one of the 20 so far detained was arrested at an address in the Midlands.

“The investigation is ongoing,” the Garda spokesman added.