Failed ‘crash for cash’ scammer throws himself onto car hood, walks away

A suspected “crash for cash” scammer in Kwun Tong has become the butt of internet jokes after video emerged of him staging a fake accident, which saw the car stop in time and him walking away unscathed.

Viral dashcam footage that circulated Tuesday recorded the car driving along Cha Kwo Ling Road near residential estate Laguna City. Suddenly, a man sprints towards the car and raises his arms in the air, preparing to launch himself onto the hood.

But the driver—likely startled by the man—has already pulled to a complete stop. As the man jumps, his hands land flat on the hood of the stationary car. He then turns around before walking back to the pedestrian road as the car drives off too, making for a decidedly anti-climatic end to the ploy.

The incident happened at around 8:30 pm on Sunday, according to markings on the dashcam footage.

“Crash for cash” are scams in which fraudsters stage road accidents, gambling their own safety for the chance of receiving a settlement from the driver or profiting from an insurance claim.

In March, police officers arrested four people after investigating a car collision that turned out to be a scam. While looking into the case, police uncovered a conversation recorded by a dash camera in which passengers in the vehicle instructed the driver to deliberately slow down before the car behind rammed into them.

Officers said the gang plotted the crash to apply for a cash handout under the government’s Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme, according to the South China Morning Post.

Nobody has been arrested in connection with the Sunday night incident. Police also shared the clip on its official Facebook page Tuesday, adding that it “strongly condemns pedestrians’ severely risky behavior” and appealing for anybody with information to come forward.

Offenders found guilty of staging fake traffic accidents can receive up to 14 years’ imprisonment under the fraud clause of the Theft Ordinance, as well as a fine of up to HK$2,000 (US$257) under the Road Traffic Ordinance.