A recent sting operation executed by several northern California counties has nabbed dozens of fraudsters and will likely deter others from ever committing such a crime.

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced that, beginning January 28, 2009, the California Department of Insurance's Fraud Division (CDI) and investigators from the district attorney offices of El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Yolo executed nearly 40 arrest warrants during "Operation Cover Me."

This operation investigated alleged auto insurance fraud over a two-month period. The end result was 28 cases with 38 suspects. To date, authorities have arrested 28 suspects and issued notices to five others to appear for arraignment. There are also outstanding arrest warrants on five remaining suspects.