Southland agent arrested in bogus policy scam
News: 2019 Press Release
LOS ANGELES, Calif.- California Department of Insurance alleges Angel Estrada, 22, a formerly licensed insurance producer and owner of Angel Estrada Agency, swindled a national insurer out of more than $140,000 in commissions by writing bogus commercial insurance policies to earn large commissions.
According to department investigators, between 2016 and 2017, Estrada submitted 74 applications for commercial insurance policies and was rewarded for the new business with large commissions. Estrada then used a portion of his commission money to fund initial premium payments on new bogus policy applications to secure additional commissions. Investigators allege Estrada continued this practice until the insurer audited his business and revealed the alleged scam.
Internal auditing and underwriting by the national carrier revealed only one of the 74 policies Estrada submitted had an actual premium payment.
“Estrada's fraudulent activity degrades consumers' trust of professional agents," Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. "These types of crimes are costly to California's consumers, businesses and economy."
Based on the evidence, department investigators secured an arrest warrant and Estrada surrendered in Los Angeles Superior Court Friday, April 19 and was released on his own recognizance.
The case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The department suspended Estrada was charged with grand theft, California Penal Code 487.
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Media Notes:
License suspension documents are located on the department's Formal Enforcement Actions section, including the criminal filing.
Estrada was charged with grand theft, California Penal Code 487.
Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.
