CDI Busts Calif. Residents for Staging Auto Accidents

California Department of Insurance (CDI) Fraud Investigators announced arrest warrants have been issued for 10 people suspected of staging automobile accidents.

Five of the suspects have been arrested and five are still outstanding. All will be prosecuted by the Sutter County District Attorney’s Office on numerous counts of insurance fraud. If convicted, each could face up to five years in prison and/or a fine of $50,000.

Arrested were Ranjit Kaur Samra, 37, of Sacramento; Surinder Singh Samra, 41, of Sacramento; Kulwant Singh Gill, 44, of Roseville; Jasivir Kaur Sandhu, 53, of Roseville; and Tejinder Singh Dosanjh, 49, of Yuba City.

According to investigators, a “hotline call” from Hertz Rental Car agency initiated the investigation. Hertz noticed numerous accidents with similar circumstances involving its rental cars. The accidents reportedly involved phantom hit and run drivers or solo car accidents. The accidents always involved minor damage to the rental car and all occupants claimed totally disabling injuries.

This investigation also revealed that the suspects purchased accidental disability policies from a former agent with Pennsylvania Life Insurance Company. These policies guaranteed the suspects $2,000 – $2,500 per month as income until the claimants were able to return to work. Many of the policies reportedly contained false information regarding employment and income.