Fraud of the Week
Staged Accident – Washington
Amount – $126,990
A man staged an auto accident in order to collect insurance proceeds; in trying to cover up the staged accident, he ended up with multiple other charges including mail fraud, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, making false statements to the FBI, and conspiracy to commit mail, wire, and health care fraud. The man had another person drive a Hyundai into his Lexus, for which his insurer paid out $126,990. The man claimed damages to the vehicle, bodily injury, and wage loss although he wasn't in the vehicle at the time of the accident. During the investigation, the man suspected someone was giving information to the FBI, and when he was told about the FBI's involvement, indicated that he would have killed the FBI informant. During an interview with the FBI, the man falsely accused the person he believed to be the informant of accepting a $20,000 bribe. He faces a maximum possible sentence of 95 years in prison, five years of court supervision, and $250,000 in restitution. Sentencing is scheduled for January 16, 2023.

