Fraud of the Week

November 19, 2018

Arson — South Carolina

Amount: $ 25,000 and 2 lives

A South Carolina man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for taking part in an arson scam which resulted in the death of a child and a subsequent revenge killing. The fraudster told investigators that he and his nephew had been approached by a woman who offered to pay him $5,000 to set fire to her mobile home. She had just recently taken out a $25,000 insurance policy on the mobile home. The fire was planned for a time when the woman and her children were staying at a friend's apartment. The 12 year old son, though, had been to a birthday party that evening, and when it started to rain during his trek, he decided to walk home instead of to the apartment. The two fraudsters set fire to the mobile home. The boy was killed in the fire. The next year, the boys brother shot and killed the co-conspirator because of his involvement in this crime. The defendant was sentenced to 30 years in prison for playing a part in the arson.