Back when I was a litigator, our local transit company had a bus that broke down on Peachtree Street right in front of Macy's - it was an out-of-service bus, but with the police and tow truck it looked as though there had been a collision.
Within two weeks, the transit company had over 50 personal injury claims from people who said they were involved in the accident that didn't happen.
Their names WERE released, and very publicly. But you’re right that doing so brought out more people making claims.