Operation Car Seats snares family-run ring for alleged auto insurance fraud involving high-end child seats
News: 2020 Press Release
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Department of Insurance detectives have arrested seven suspects on 31 felony charges of auto insurance fraud for their alleged involvement in a family-run organized auto fraud ring dubbed Operation Car Seats. Suspects allegedly filed dozens of fraudulent false insurance claims using receipts for high-end child car seats costing an average of $950 each to claim a higher undeserved payout from insurers. The fraud resulted in a nearly $180,000 loss to the insurer.
“The alleged actions by this family-run ring cost every California driver when insurance companies pass along these losses through higher premiums,” said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. “The Department of Insurance is committed to investigating fraud and stopping those who take advantage of the system.”
After receiving a tip from the insurer, the California Department of Insurance launched an investigation which revealed that from 2014 to 2017, alleged ringleader, Lawanda Bogan, 42, of Long Beach, conspired with family members and close friends to file 32 false insurance claims to an insurer totaling $179,106.
The suspects claimed multiple high-end child car seats costing an average of $950 each were in the vehicles at the time of the accidents and submitted fraudulent digitally-altered receipts for the car seats to pad their claims to receive higher, undeserved insurance payouts. The car seats accounted for $77,897 of the insurer’s loss.
The investigation also found that multiple claims were for accidents that never took place, also called “paper collisions.” To further substantiate the alleged fraud, the suspects submitted digitally-altered medical bills and vehicle repair bills.
This case is a part of the Los Angeles County Automobile Insurance Fraud Task Force, which is comprised of the California Department of Insurance, California Highway Patrol, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Automobile Insurance Fraud Unit.
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Media notes:
- Booking photos
- Suspects:
- Lawanda Bogan (42) of Long Beach, CA. Arrested on 02/06/20
18 Counts of 550(b)(1) - Insurance Fraud.
Bail: $400,000 - Jasmine Jackson (31) of Long Beach, CA. Arrested on 02/06/20
3 Counts of 550(b)(1) - Insurance Fraud.
Bail: $75,000 - Anthony Ficklin (37) of Long Beach, CA. Arrested on 02/06/20
2 Counts of 550(b)(1) - Insurance Fraud.
Bail: $50,000 - Cozette Baldwin (58) of Bellflower, CA. Arrested on 02/06/20
3 Counts of 550(b)(1) - Insurance Fraud.
Bail: $75,000 - Natasha Bogan (39) of Bellflower, CA. Arrested on 02/06/20
5 Counts of 550(b)(1) - Insurance Fraud.
Bail: $125,000 - Claudia Nunez (50) of Carson, CA. Arrested on 02/07/20
7 Counts of 550(b)(1) - Insurance Fraud.
Bail: $150,000 - Sherrell Scott (31) of Inglewood, CA. Arrested on 02/11/20
8 Counts of 550(b)(1) - Insurance Fraud.
Bail: $200,000
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.
