Fraud of the Week

Auto Fraud – California

Amount: $19,625

June 6, 2016

A Sacramento couple have pled no contest to felony insurance charges. The man had an accident rear-ending another vehicle. He drove off without providing a license or insurance information. The owner of the vehicle reported it stolen the next day, claiming she had the only key and did not know who took her vehicle. The vehicle was recovered a half mile from the residence; the vehicle had significant front-end damage, but no sign of forced entry. The man was identified as the hit-and-run driver and cell phone records show that he, not a nephew, drove the insured to work as had been claimed. The driver was sentenced to three years in jail, and the insured and car owner was sentenced to 150 days in jail and five years' probation. They were ordered to pay $19,625 in restitution to the victim and the insurance company.