BRITAIN'S biggest single "crash for cash" insurance plot was foiled - when a gang of eight conmen blundered a bogus bus smash on a busy main road in Cardiff.

Seven of the fraudsters pretended to be injured passengers when a rented car was driven into the back of the bus by ringleader Merrick Williams from Barry Island.

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

The fakers were seen on CCTV holding their "injured" necks and hips after the crash which could have netted more than £50,000 insurance payout.

But Cardiff Crown Court heard insurance investigators became suspicious of the multiple injury claims from the same bus.

And road experts ruled the impact from the crashed rental car was minimal - and would only have caused a minor vibration.

When investigators checked on social media they found that at least two of the claimants were already friends with 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.

A CCTV camera on the bus showed the rental car passing the bus twice in Cowbridge Road West in Ely, Cardiff, before finally running into the back of it at low speed.

Just one passenger fell to the floor - but no-one else moved on the impact.

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.

City of London Police detective constable Aman Taylor, who led the investigation, said afterwards: "The attempted fraud was in a league of its own as this is the largest number of claimants ever tried together in an IFED case.

"By planning the bus crash, the men deliberately put the safety of innocent people, including children, at risk in a bid to make money and take advantage of the personal injury claims system."

AIG fraud manager David Halstead said: "Insurance fraud impacts all customers.

"We are extremely grateful to investigators for their hard work in bringing the perpetrators to justice in this particularly devious case."

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.