Fraud News Around the Nation

Massachusetts Police Sergeant Gets Jail Term in Insurance Fraud Scheme

Massachusetts police sergeant has been sentenced to serve half a year in a county jail after he was convicted of lying about an on-duty accident and accepting insurance money for a bogus injury.

A jury convicted Hingham Sgt. Kris Phillips on Thursday of filing false insurance claims and misleading a police investigation.

Authorities say the 20-year police veteran made false insurance claims after he said he was injured on duty in July 2015. Phillips said he was struck and injured by a car as a shopper backed out of a parking space.

An internal police review determined the story was false.

Phillips must also pay nearly $2,000 in restitution. He can no longer serve as a law enforcement officer.

Chief Glenn Olsson declined immediate comment.

Arizona Glass Company Owner Arrested for False Insurance Claims and Identity Theft

On November 30, 2016, the Arizona Department of Insurance Fraud Division arrested
Gilbert Martinez, owner of Gilligan’s Auto Glass, on allegations of fraud schemes, insurance fraud, aggravated identity theft and theft.

The allegations involve Martinez’s unauthorized use of several insureds’ personal information, details of their auto insurance company and vehicle information, all taken
from another glass company’s business where Martinez formerly worked.

Gilbert Martinez is alleged to have started Gilligan’s Auto Glass in June 2016 and then
allegedly reported false windshield-replacement claims to an insurance company posing
as the insureds. So far, the investigation involves 33 known victims whose identities were used without their knowledge to make false claims. The insurance company paid out over $19,000 on the alleged false claims.

The investigation is continuing with the hopes of locating other victims and insurance companies involved. The investigation will be submitted to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office for prosecution.

North Carolina Man Accused of Insurance Fraud

Joseph Raymond Johnson was arrested and charged with one count of insurance fraud, according to an announcement by North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Johnson of fraudulently reporting that his vehicle was stolen before it was involved in an automobile accident to the Wilmington Police and to Sentry Insurance. Investigators allege Johnson knowingly granted permission to Rashawn Herbert Hines to operate the vehicle.

Johnson was arrested on Dec. 9 in New Hanover County and placed under a $5,000 bond.

California Man Sentenced to Prison for Felony Auto Insurance Fraud

Juda Qadir pled no contest to felony automobile insurance fraud this week. He was sentenced to two years state prison and ordered to pay $6,335 in restitution to Foremost Insurance, a subsidiary of Farmers Insurance.

In 2011, Qadir purchased a Harley Davidson motorcycle and completely remodeled it, including having customized murals painted on it and constructing the seat out of alligator skins. In July 2015, Qadir obtained a suspicious appraisal of $47,000 for his Harley. He then obtained full coverage insurance at Foremost, which obtained a reputable appraisal valuing the Harley at no more than $32,000. In October 2015, Qadir reported the Harley stolen to the Galt Police Department. Qadir claimed he was riding the Harley and ran out of gas. Qadir stated he called a cousin who took him to get a can of gas and when they returned the Harley was gone.

The next day, Qadir reported the theft to Foremost. Foremost became suspicious and investigated the claim. Foremost denied the claim because Qadir lied during an Examination under Oath and failed to provide requested documents.

In 2016, authorities received information that parts from the allegedly stolen Harley were at Qadir’s home. A search warrant was served at Qadir’s residence, where officers located all of the customized painted parts as well as the alligator seat from the allegedly stolen Harley.