Three suspects at large in Sacramento-area auto fraud scheme
News: 2020 Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Three suspects are at large after being charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy for their alleged involvement in an automobile insurance fraud scheme where they staged vehicle damage in order to submit bogus vandalism claims for undeserved insurance payouts.
After receiving a referral from GEICO, the Department of Insurance launched an investigation that resulted in Malissa Anne Nuckles, 39, of Antelope, admitting she submitted a false vandalism claim involving her 2003 BMW that she recently purchased from a Sacramento used car dealership, Abe’s Motorsports. The BMW was covered in scratches that led to the totaling of the vehicle.
David Mohammadi, 37, of Sacramento, from Abe's Motorsports sent GEICO the sales contract for the BMW. The investigation found that the vehicle was on the dealership lot for approximately two years prior to being sold to Nuckles and that the dealership was likely trying to eliminate old inventory.
During the investigation, Nuckles admitted that the vandalism was staged and that Mohammadi directed her in filing the claim. Nuckles also disclosed that her husband, Jeffrey Combs, 54, worked as a mechanic for Abe’s Motorsports.
Department detectives later discovered Combs filed a similar vandalism claim where his 2006 Chevy Cobalt sustained numerous panel scratches that totaled the car. Combs also allegedly purchased the car from Mohammadi. In Combs’ claim, GEICO never became suspicious and Abe’s Motorsports received the insurance settlement. Mohammadi and the owner of Abe's Motorsports, Ayoub Shawesh, 34, are suspected of defrauding GEICO in this prior claim.
Mohammadi self-surrendered and was booked into Sacramento County Main Jail. The three remaining suspects - Nuckles, Combs, and Shawesh - are still at large. If anyone has any information regarding the at-large suspects please contact the Department of Insurance at 916-854-5744.
The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.
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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.
