Two Californians Arrested for Auto Insurance Fraud

A Mountain View, Calif., woman and a Hayward, Calif., man have been arrested for suspected auto insurance fraud, the California Department of Insurance reported. Lourdes Ramirez, 56, and her cousin, Christian Monteverde, 22, self surrendered and were booked at the Santa Clara County Jail on June 15, each on a $20,000 felony warrant for insurance fraud. If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison and/or $10,000 in fines.

An investigation conducted by the California Department of Insurance, Urban Organized Insurance Fraud Task Force, revealed that Ramirez allegedly obtained an insurance policy for a new motorcycle that was purchased in June of 2008. Monteverde reported the motorcycle stolen from his residence to Palo Alto police on Jan. 13, 2009. Ramirez allegedly told the insurance company that she was the sole driver of the motorcycle. The investigation revealed that Monteverde was allegedly the sole driver, CDI said.

An investigation by GEICO Insurance investigators revealed that Ramirez purchased the policy for Monteverde because it would have been too costly or impossible for Monteverde to qualify for a policy, based on his driving record and credit history, CDI said. Ramirez allegedly made numerous false or fraudulent statements to GEICO insurance in support of an insurance claim. It is alleged that Monteverde knowingly conspired with Ramirez to make a fraudulent claim.

The Urban Organized Automobile Fraud Insurance Task Force is comprised of investigators from the CDI, California Highway Patrol and Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.

Source: CDI