Victim of Number Plate Fraud
A mum from Kent was left stunned after being accused of causing a car crash in Liverpool, despite never having visited the city in her life. Shelli Birkett, who lives in Herne Bay, was contacted by her insurance company, which claimed she had been involved in a collision. It was only after further investigation that she realised she had become a victim of number plate fraud, a crime that is becoming increasingly common across the UK.
How the Scam Worked
Number plate cloning involves criminals stealing or copying a vehicle’s registration and using it on another car, often of the same make and model, to avoid detection. This allows them to commit crimes, avoid speeding fines, and even evade toll charges, all while the innocent victim faces the consequences. In Shelli’s case, not only had her number plate been cloned, but it had also been fitted onto a vehicle identical to hers.
Insurance Battle to Prove Innocence
Shelli, who runs Shelli B Design, was left in shock when she received an email from her insurance company claiming she had been involved in a collision in Liverpool and was at fault. She immediately contacted them to protest her innocence but was asked to provide evidence proving she had not been there at the time.
“I had to send them photos of my car, my Google location history, and even a video from my social media proving I was at work at the time,” Shelli explained. “I’ve never even been to Liverpool.”
Even after proving her innocence, she was still pursued by the claimant’s lawyers, who demanded settlement fees.
Former Manchester United Player Brandon Williams Pleads Guilty In Court
Lack of Support and Growing Concern
Despite being the victim of a crime, Shelli felt unsupported throughout the ordeal. “Nobody apologised or offered any help. If I hadn’t known how to use technology to prove my location, I might have been forced to pay for something I didn’t do.”
Police and Government Response
Chief Superintendent Rob Marsh of Kent Police warned that number plate cloning is often linked to other crimes, including vehicle theft and fuel fraud. The government has since confirmed work is underway on a new Road Safety Strategy to crack down on cloning and other road-related offences.
