Branden Heywood of Chino, was using his identity and other people's identities, including those of his minor children, to submit fictitious medical records and altered California Highway Patrol collision reports. (Credit: Jan H. Andersen/Adobe Stock)
A Chino, California, man has been arraigned on 39 felony counts for allegedly being the ringleader of an auto insurance fraud crew that specialized in running "paper collision" scams, according to the state's department of insurance. Another five suspected participants have been charged with insurance fraud in connection to the ring, which has pulled in more than $80,000 from the scheme.
Paper collisions involve fictitious accidents and falsified documents. In this instance, Branden Heywood of Chino, was using his identity and other people's identities, including those of his minor children, to submit fictitious medical records and altered California Highway Patrol collision reports.
The alleged ringleader also used social media to recruit crew members, who would claim to have been passengers in fake accidents.
Heywood is also facing charges for possessing two assault weapons, which were seized during a search of his home. He posted the $150,000 bond on August 16 and has pled not guilty to all charges, according to court documents. Court proceedings are slated for early October.
The investigation into the ring was done by the Inland Empire Auto Insurance Fraud Task Force, a collaborative group made up of the California Department of Insurance, California Highway Patrol, San Bernardino District Attorney's Office and Riverside District Attorney's Office.
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