NICB in the News: Staged Accidents, Severe Storms and Airbag Thefts
(The Bulletin) - Norwich man sentenced for his role in car insurance fraud scheme
NEW HAVEN — A Norwich man was sentenced Friday in federal court to 100 days in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in an insurance fraud scheme.
Frandy Dugue, 40, known as Jimmy, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between April 2011 and April 2014, Dugue and others conspired to stage approximately 50 car crashes in Eastern Connecticut for the purpose of defrauding automobile insurance companies.
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(USAgNet) - Following Severe Weather, Beware of Scams
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine warned consumers to beware of scams following the severe weather that hit Ohio this past week.
"Bad weather, unfortunately, can lead to scams," Attorney General DeWine said. "Some con artists will travel to storm-damaged communities, go door to door offering immediate work, and then leave after taking someone's money. Another risk, with all the flooding we've had, is for flood-damaged cars to eventually make their way to the market. We just warn people to be careful. Scams are out there, but prevention can go a long way."
Read the story here.
(NBC Miami) - Residents Frustrated By String of Airbag Thefts in Southwest Miami-
For the second time in less than two months, neighbors in a Southwest Miami-Dade neighborhood have been targeted by thieves who have swept through parking lots stealing airbags from vehicles.
Read the full story here.
(Bismarck Tribune) - Fargo man accused of claiming tools to defraud insurance company
A man who was in a rollover car crash in January 2016 is accused of trying to get extra insurance money by pretending tools were stolen from his car.
A criminal complaint filed July 7 against Dakotah Gries, 24, of Fargo, alleges he submitted a fake receipt to State Farm in the hopes of getting paid for tools he said were stolen, but which he had never owned.
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Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422) or submitting a form on our website.
About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime through Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. The NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property-casualty insurers, self-insureds, rental car, vehicle finance, and auto auctions. To learn more, visit www.nicb.org.