Alleged ringleader of Inland Empire auto insurance fraud crew arraigned on 39 felony counts
News: 2022 Press Release
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Branden Heywood, 30, of Chino, was arraigned yesterday on 39 felony counts of insurance fraud after an investigation found he allegedly acted as the leader of a “paper collision” ring to collect over $80,000 in undeserved insurance payouts. In a “paper collision” the accidents never occurred and perpetrators use false documents to commit fraud.
The Inland Empire Auto Insurance Fraud Task Force investigation led by the California Department of Insurance found Heywood was using his identity and others’, including the identities of his minor children, to stage fake collisions by submitting fictitious medical records and altered California Highway Patrol collision reports to insurance companies in order to collect insurance payouts. The Inland Empire Auto Insurance Fraud Task Force is made up of the California Department of Insurance, California Highway Patrol, San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office and Riverside District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation also found Heywood recruited people on social media to say they had been passengers in the fake collisions. As a result, five additional suspects from the Inland Empire area have been charged with felony insurance fraud. Heywood is also charged with possession of two assault weapons, which were seized from his residence by the task force during a search warrant.
Heywood was arrested on August 9, 2022 and remains in custody. Bail is set at $150,000. This case is being prosecuted by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
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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.
