Fraud of the Week
November 16, 2015
Auto Accident Fraud – Indiana
AMOUNT: $600,000+
A crime ring has been broken up in Indiana after a two year investigation. Thirty of thirty-six people involved in the frauds were arrested. Each person faces at least two federal charges, wire fraud and mail fraud for documentation connected with the claims. Each charge carries a maximum of twenty years, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
An auto would be purchased and someone would be recruited to crash it in a remote area; often into a tree or other stationary object, causing significant damage. Then others located nearby would get in the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel. Vehicles were often loaded with three or four individuals in order to maximize the claims that could be filed.
Christine G. Barlow, CPCU
Christine G. Barlow, CPCU, is Executive Editor of FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation, a division of National Underwriter Company and ALM. Christine has over thirty years’ experience in the insurance industry, beginning as a claims adjuster then working as an underwriter and underwriting supervisor handling personal lines. Christine regularly presents and moderates webinars on a variety of topics and is an experienced presenter.