N.J. Man Sentenced in ‘Give Up’ Scam

New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn McKoy and Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown announced that a Hudson County man has been sentenced for his role in an automobile “give up” scam.

According to Gooden-Brown, Israel Rivera, 34, of Jersey City, Hudson County, was ordered by Hudson County Superior Court Judge Peter Vasquez to pay $10, 400 in restitution and to serve five-years probation. In addition, Rivera was ordered to pay a $5,000 civil fine. Rivera was sentenced after pleading guilty to a criminal Accusation filed by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor which charged insurance fraud (3rd degree).

At the Nov. 8, 2004 guilty plea, Rivera reportedly admitted that in July 2003 to falsely reporting to the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company that his 2001 Honda Civic had been stolen. An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that Rivera subsequently submitted an automobile insurance theft claim in the amount of $10,398. The insurance claim was paid by Liberty Mutual to satisfy the car loan and towing and storage charges.

An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that Rivera’s car was found in Philadelphia prior to the date he reported the theft of the vehicle to Liberty Mutual.

Fraud investigators assigned to Liberty Mutual became suspicious of the claim and referred the case to the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.