PI Fraudsters Using Fake Overseas Driving Licences

A timely warning for those in the PI sector, from Rick Preston, Partner and Head of Intelligence, HF.

Indeed a quick search brought up a fake ID world site, where all kinds of fake licences can be bought for £228. 

This year a concerning new trend in personal injury claims litigation has emerged – the rising use of fake foreign driving licences in civil claims. Since the start of 2025, HF’s Intelligence Team has identified over 40 fraudulent licenses, 11 of which surfaced in the past month alone.

Many of these forgeries are suspected to trace back to organised criminal networks producing counterfeit identity documents at scale. Others are openly sold online, marketed as “novelty items” or “party accessories”. Yet, in practice, it is clear that some suppliers are fully aware these products are being used for fraudulent purposes.

The implications of submitting false identity documents in a civil claim are serious. A claimant who knowingly provides a fake driving licence risks invalidating the claim entirely. It could also lead to contempt of court proceedings and trigger criminal investigations. However, the issue extends beyond fraudulent claimants.

Innocent victims may also suffer consequences where another driver was operating illegally under a false identity. In such cases, questions arise over insurance validity and liability cover, potentially complicating genuine claims.

Protecting the Integrity of Claims

This growing trend highlights the need for increased awareness and robust verification measures within both the insurance and legal sectors. It also underscores the value of specialist intelligence expertise in identifying the subtle, technical indicators of document forgery.

The sophistication of these fakes varies, but several tell-tale signs often reveal the truth.

Common red flags include:

• Incorrect fonts or misaligned text
• Information positioned in the wrong area of the card
• QR codes that do not revert to the issuing authority
• Issue and renewal dates that breach local licensing rules
• Inaccurate security features, holograms, or card materials
• Formatting and layout errors inconsistent with genuine designs

As identity fraud continues to evolve, so too must the industry’s methods for detecting it.