Britain's biggest 'crash for cash' scam foiled as 'victims' grab their necks at exactly the same time after slo-mo smash

The biggest " crash for cash " insurance plot in Britain was foiled when conmen grabbed their necks in pain after a slow-motion bus crash.

Seven fraudsters pretended to have neck and hip injuries when a car driven by ringleader Merrick Williams crashed into the bus they were in on May 21, 2014.

The seven fakers were seen on CCTV holding their "injured" necks after the crash - which could have netted them £50,000 in an insurance pay out.

CCTV from the bus shows the car, driven by Williams, pass the bus on two occasions before hitting into the back of it at low speed.

One passenger appeared to be thrown to the floor by the smash but none of the others moved.

But a court heard insurance investigators also became suspicious due to multiple injury claims from the same bus.

Road experts ruled the crash was minimal and would have only caused a minor vibration.

Investigators soon discovered at least two of the claimants who were on the bus were friends with the driver Williams.

The eight were hauled to court in the biggest single case investigated by the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department.

Cardiff Crown Court was told that innocent passengers were put in danger at the "farcical attempt" to sting insurers.

Prosecutor Suzanne Thomas told the court the men were filmed holding their necks and hips after the crash.

She said: "But when the bus driver of the bus called the police and paramedics not a single passenger stepped up to report an injury at the time.

"One of the fraudsters did go to hospital but he did not stay for long enough to be diagnosed or treated."

Insurance company AIG later received personal injury claims forms from the seven men who were on the bus.

Car driver Williams, 30, of Barry Island, south Wales, was jailed for 12 months and banned from driving for two years after admitting conspiracy to commit fraud.

Insurance Fraud Bureau Head of Investigations Jason Potter said: "Crash for cash scams like this might seem to some to be a harmless way to beat the system and get an easy pay out.

"But in reality those who commit crimes of this nature now stand a very good chance of getting caught and facing serious consequences.

"These incredibly dangerous and reckless incidents present a real risk of injury and potentially even death."

The other seven were handed suspended sentences and ordered to undertake community service after admitting the same offence.

They were Kassim Mukbill, 31, Nigel Iti, 24, Hamada Shuyeb, 24, Kieran Murphy, 29, Fami Haddad, 25, Aaron Ryan, 25, and Matthew Saunders, 33, all from Cardiff.