Florida Highway Patrol troopers and Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies staged a series of fake car crashes across Northwest Miami-Dade, sending undercover officers to pose as crash victims in hopes of luring in the scammers who prey on real ones. The sting ended with two men detained after they showed up to one of the scenes with police scanners in their car.
Undercover Officers Play the Part of Crash Victims
According to WSVN, FHP and MDSO officials orchestrated several staged crashes across Northwest Miami-Dade specifically to draw in suspected solicitors who target drivers after real accidents. One of the staged wrecks that 7News was given an exclusive look at sat at Northwest 12th Avenue and 95th Street, with undercover officers playing the role of crash victims waiting at the scene. The goal, officials said, was to see who would show up uninvited and what they would offer.
Two men were detained during the operation for allegedly engaging in the scheme, the outlet reported. Troopers said the pair had police scanners in their car and responded to the reported traffic crash that authorities had staged, raising suspicion about how they knew to arrive. One of the men detained by MDSO did not comment on the incident, per the same account.
How the Alleged Scheme Works
Officers say the people who show up at crash scenes often beat law enforcement there. “They’ll arrive, a lot of the time even before law enforcement does,” one officer said, describing how solicitors move quickly to reach drivers before police or legitimate help can respond. Authorities say the scheme can involve a fake tow truck operator, someone posing as an attorney, or someone offering body shop work — all designed to get a foothold with a shaken driver moments after a wreck.
Officials say that foothold can be costly. Suspects allegedly get victims to sign away their vehicles, leaving them owing thousands of dollars they never expected. If no one takes the bait after a staged crash, officials said they simply relocate the vehicles to set up another event elsewhere, continuing the operation until someone bites.
Authorities Urge Drivers to Say No
Lieutenant Rafael Lola warned drivers not to accept services offered by anyone who arrives at an accident scene uninvited. Authorities more broadly are urging the public to reject help from anyone appearing at a crash site unless the people involved in the crash actually called for that help themselves. Lieutenant Angel Rogers said soliciting anyone involved in a traffic crash is illegal in Florida, and MDSO Detective Samantha Choon said authorities are focused on finding ways to prevent the practice before more drivers get taken advantage of…