Car accident scammers in Russia exploit drivers’ vulnerability immediately after a collision to steal insurance payments, as victims are often disoriented and unable to properly assess the situation. Fraudsters are known to quickly appear at the scene of the accident, impersonating accident commissioners, and tricking victims into signing away their rights to insurance compensation.

The scheme relies on drivers signing an assignment agreement, a legal document that transfers the right to claim debt. By securing this transfer, scammers gain the ability to pursue inflated claims with the insurance company and even file lawsuits against the accident’s perpetrator, leaving the original victim with minimal compensation and a damaged vehicle.

Gleb Eremin, head of the OSAGO product at Sravni, warns drivers against rushing into agreements at the scene of an accident. He explains that scammers often get information about accidents quickly, sometimes from taxi drivers or even emergency service informants, and arrive prepared to pressure drivers with promises of quick payouts.

To protect themselves, drivers should refuse to sign any documents besides the Europrotocol or documents from the traffic police. They should also contact official services directly, avoid taking cash from third parties, and refrain from assessing damage without a thorough inspection.

Eremin emphasizes that vigilance in the first minutes after an accident is crucial. Drivers should call the traffic police or their accident commissioner, if their policy includes one, and seek help from family or friends to avoid making hasty decisions under pressure.

Terminating an assignment agreement is extremely difficult and generally requires court intervention. Victims must prove they were misled or signed the agreement under duress, a process that demands the assistance of qualified lawyers.

Fraudsters often maximize profits by presenting falsified damage reports from “independent” examiners to insurance companies. They may also pursue legal action against the at-fault party, presenting fake repair bills to inflate the claimed damages.

These scammers typically target drivers with phrases designed to create distrust of insurance companies, offering immediate payouts that are significantly lower than the actual repair costs. This tactic preys on the driver’s stress and lack of ability to properly evaluate the extent of the damage, leading them to accept the offer.