"Taxi Driver Who Suddenly Stopped and Grabbed Passenger's Neck... Also Demanded 750,000 Won in Cash"

Taxi Driver Grabs Back of Neck and Stops Despite No Collision
Flustered, Files Insurance Claim... Also Hands Over 750,000 Won in Cash

An absurd story has been reported where someone demanded insurance claims citing body pain despite no collision between vehicles.

On the 3rd, a post titled "What do you think about this video?" was uploaded on an online community. The author, Mr. A, who was driving on the road on the day of the incident, began by saying, "I felt that I did not collide with the taxi, but the elderly taxi driver grabbed the back of his neck and got out, saying he was hit from behind and was in pain."

In the video released by Mr. A, his vehicle follows closely behind a taxi making a right turn in front of a crosswalk. Then, the vehicle in front of Mr. A suddenly brakes, and Mr. A's vehicle also stops abruptly as if startled. Judging only from the released photos, the taxi's rear bumper and Mr. A's vehicle appear close, but there is no contact at all.

Mr. A explained the situation, saying, "The elderly man asked me to file a hospital insurance claim for bodily injury, so I was so flustered that I filed the insurance claim for him." He added, "Also, the elderly man demanded cash for vehicle repair costs, so I gave him 750,000 won. But later, when I looked at the photos, the taxi was not damaged at all." He continued, "I think he took me lightly because I am a female driver. I don't know how to deal with this going forward," asking for opinions.

Netizens who came across this story mostly suspected insurance fraud. They commented, "The taxi driver insisting he was hit is a problem, but the insurance company that processes this is a bigger problem," "Did he get hit by telekinesis?" "Report it as insurance fraud," "He probably needs to cause an accident worth the money he was paid to be satisfied," "The taxi didn't even move," "The rear bumper and license plate of the car in front must have been really shocked," "Bluetooth shock," and so on.

Meanwhile, automobile insurance fraud crimes have been increasing recently, especially among younger generations. Last year, the amount detected for automobile insurance fraud was 547.6 billion won, an increase of 77.1 billion won (16.4%) compared to the previous year.

As insurance fraud becomes increasingly organized and sophisticated, raising its seriousness, the government announced that it will implement the 'Special Act on the Prevention of Insurance Fraud' starting next month. The amendment to the special insurance fraud law includes ▲ prohibition of acts such as solicitation and inducement of insurance fraud ▲ the financial authorities' right to request data for insurance fraud investigations ▲ establishment of hospitalization appropriateness review standards by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service ▲ relief for victims of automobile insurance fraud. Accordingly, those who obtain insurance money through insurance fraud or cause a third party to obtain insurance money may face imprisonment of up to 10 years or a fine of up to 50 million won.