Between 2016 and 2020, Monica P. and Maikel S. were involved in a series of 79 traffic accidents, still following the same scenario. The facts took place in parking lots, where their vehicle was regularly struck at the rear by other motorists. A really unlucky couple? Not really. According to the Dutch prosecution, these incidents are not due to chance.
According to the accusation, the couple was circulating in the parking lots, watching for an inattentive driver to cause a hanging. This staging would have allowed them to claim and obtain around 165,000 euros from several insurance companies.
“They are the ones who retreat in our car”
Judged for the first time, Monica and Maikel were sentenced to eight months in prison, including four suspended. They also had to reimburse compensation to an insurance company and a victim. However, the two accused have always denied the facts and appealed this decision.
“I consider myself an excellent driver,” said Monica before the court of appeal. “These are the other drivers who are not careful. They are the ones who retreat in our car. Not the other way around. »»
To enlighten the court, the Netherlands Medico-Legal Institute (NFI) was requested. According to their analysis, it is “millions of more probable times” that it is fraud rather than an unfortunate sequence of coincidences.
Forty vehicles used
The couple had no less than 43 different vehicles during this period. Their lawyer, however, tried to minimize the facts, explaining that no real financial gain was proven: “If the money paid by insurance was used to repair vehicles, there is no profit. And if the car was not repaired, its value dropped strongly. »»
Insurance companies refute this argument. They believe that repairs were often carried out at low cost, in particular by knowledge of the couple. The prosecutor requested confirmation of the initial judgment. The verdict on appeal will be rendered on a later date.
