38 Indicted in Massachusetts Auto Insurance Fraud Scheme

Prosecutors say grand juries in Hampshire and Franklin counties have indicted 38 people allegedly involved in an automobile insurance fraud ring.

The Northwestern District Attorney’s office said in a statement on Wednesday the scheme largely involved individuals from the New York City area who over a six-year period insured and registered their cars in western Massachusetts by claiming to live at false or made-up addresses in Northampton, Easthampton and Greenfield.

By doing so, prosecutors said they were able to pay significantly lower auto insurance premiums than had they reported their actual addresses in New York.

Prosecutors said the indictments followed a yearlong investigation.

Nine of the defendants are scheduled for arraignment on Friday in Franklin Superior Court.