AI facilitates insurance fraud on Polish roads; how to avoid becoming a victim

Insurance fraud is a significant and escalating issue in Poland, with criminals exploiting new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to perpetrate their schemes. The Polish Chamber of Insurance (PIU) reported that in 2025, insurers identified more than 30,000 cases of property insurance fraud, amounting to 697 million PLN. This represents a concerning 17% increase in value compared to 2024.

Motor insurance fraud constitutes the largest portion of these illicit activities. According to the PIU's 2025 report on insurance crime, these cases accounted for approximately 64% of the total number and value of property insurance frauds. The total value of detected motor insurance frauds reached about 450 million PLN, a roughly 15% rise from the previous year. Specifically, compulsory third-party liability (OC) insurance fraud amounted to 144 million PLN across over 11,000 detected cases, while comprehensive (Autocasco) insurance fraud reached 172 million PLN with nearly 6,000 cases.

Traditional fraud methods, such as staging accidents, intentionally causing collisions, faking vehicle thefts, and exaggerating injuries or damage, remain prevalent. However, criminals are increasingly leveraging technology to bolster their false claims. This includes using AI to generate or alter images, create fake expert reports, and produce falsified documentation to make their claims appear legitimate. AI is also being employed in the distribution of fraudulent insurance policies.

The PIU report highlights several schemes, including the "donor policy" scam. In this method, perpetrators, often foreigners, sell authentic vehicle documents and license plates online, typically through social media. These details are acquired from various sources, including car sales listings or data breaches. Using this information, they create fraudulent sales agreements, register and insure the vehicle, and then use the stolen or fabricated owner's details for insurance fraud or other criminal activities. These packages often involve popular car models and are sold at attractive, sometimes wholesale, prices.