Fraud of the Week
May 21, 2018
Auto Fraud — South Carolina
Amount: $10,000
A South Carolina man has pleaded guilty to defrauding Geico out of more than $10,000 after he staged a car crash and allowed an impersonator to act as him during the claim process. Officials responded to a car crash scene where an acquaintance of the fraudster gave police all of the fraudsters personal information. The fraudster was not actually involved in the car accident. The acquaintance went to the hospital for treatment after the accident, maintained that he was the fraudster, and proceeded to submit a falsified medical bill for the fraudster, who was never treated. Geico paid out $10,166.45 for injuries reportedly suffered by their insured, the fraudster.
The fraudster admitted to giving his personal information to a friend to use in the accident, which was later found out to have been staged. The fraudster cashed the insurance check for the injuries from the accident.
The fraudster was sentenced to five years of probation and required to pay $10,166.45 in restitution.