Considering the current state of the economy, it may not be all that surprising to learn that insurance fraud cases are on the rise. After all, it might seem to criminals like an easy way to skip out on car payments or collect on a policy. What is a little more surprising are the lengths people are willing to go to commit insurance fraud, despite the consequences and high number of arrests.
As an example, a release from the North Carolina Department of Insurance reported that Massey Ray Bowser abandoned his Lincoln LS on family property in Nash County, North Carolina. It wasn't too long, though, before a hunter on that property stumbled upon the vehicle and reported it to the police. The hunter probably didn't expect to catch a criminal, but ended up being responsible for setting the North Carolina Department of Insurance onto the case.
Bowser had reported the vehicle to the police — back in February 2009. Claiming that the car had been stolen from his residence, Bowser waited for his $8,000 claim to be processed and received $561 for a rental car. Unbeknownst to him, he also received the attention of the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
The investigation that followed resulted in Bowser's arrest on June 23, 2009, for two felony charges: obtaining property by false pretense and fraudulent disposal of security. His father Matthew Booth was charged with one count each of felony and misdemeanor conspiracy, and his mother got one count of misdemeanor conspiracy. All three of the arrested family members were booked at the Halifax County Sheriff's Office.
Ironically, during the time it was hidden on the family's property, the vehicle's tires, rims, and battery were stolen, resulting in $1,000 in damage. North Carolina insurers, beware.
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