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Money lost by auto insurers is estimated in the $2 million range. But now, thanks to the work of the Operation Smash for Cash task force made up of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the US Postal Inspection Service, the IRS, the Florida Department of Insurance and the Florida Highway Patrol the staged auto accident ring is out of business.
The ring is thought to have operated since 1990. The accidents reported existed only on “paper” and they were supported by phony claims, fake businesses and nonexistent doctors. The modus operandi was to buy damaged or salvaged vehicles, purchase multiple policies on the autos and then falsely report numerous accidents. Using multiple sets of fake identification papers, the suspects would allege they had been involved in mishaps with one another.
The scam, carried out in Florida, North Carolina and Texas, generated an 84count indictment. Charges were brought for conspiracy, mail fraud and money laundering. Those arrested included Polycarp Ufom, Eric Ufom, Beatrice Ufom, Celestine Okafor, Dominic Ekpunobi, Laura Johns Ekpunobi, Nikki Ann Jackson and Anthony Nwike, all of Orlando. Also arrested were Anthony Diboh and Valentine Diboh of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Daniel Abomezy of Portland, Oregon. At least $700,000 in pending claims has been halted by the arrests.
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