This past year, Hawaiian residents observed gorgeous sunsets, a temperate climate, and something far less appealing: a wave of auto insurance-related fraud. In fact, the Insurance Fraud Investigation Unit of the State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Fraud Unit) experienced a 61 percent increase in criminal convictions for motor vehicle insurance fraud in 2008 over the previous year. Convictions rose from 18 in 2006 to 34 in 2007, and 55 in 2008.
Among the barrage were cases involving a Big Island resident, a body shop owner, and a career criminal. Authorities investigated Beverly Medeiros for five separate cases. The Pahoa, Hawaii resident had claimed that she was unable to work because of injuries resulting from an auto accident. Medeiros created fictitious employers and used a post office box address to intercept all related correspondence. Records indicate that she defrauded three separate insurance companies.
In January 2008, Medeiros' luck ran out. The court ordered the Big Island resident to serve 30 days in jail, pay restitution totaling more than $103,000, and $1,380.00 in court fees.
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