Florida adjuster arrested for $11M fraud scheme
The adjuster is alleged to have made more than 1,200 bogus payments to 326 co-conspirators. More arrests are expected.
A Florida insurance claims adjuster was arrested late last month for allegedly running an $11.6 million auto insurance fraud scheme since December 2018, according to the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS).
Angela Augustine, the adjuster, was booked into Broward County Jail on offenses ranging from scheme to defraud to criminal use of personal ID information. She faces up to 55 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
DFS’ Division of Investigations and Forensic Services, Bureau of Insurance Fraud, dug into Augustine’s business practices and found that she was reopening previously closed or settled claims. In connection with this fraud scheme, Augustine would also make up claims on auto policies through the use of fake claimants and made-up scenarios that were supported with fake photos and repair estimates in order to issue liability claim payments.
Further, Augustine allegedly adjusted reserves to “support the false documentation and make payments on the claim in the amount matching the falsified documentation,” according to DFS.
Through the scam, Augustine issued approximately 1, 255 fraudulent payments to around 326 co-conspirators, according to the financial services department.
“Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. It runs up insurance rates for every motorist on Florida’s roadways. It’s especially disturbing when committed by a claims adjuster entrusted with sensitive financial information,” Florida’s Chief Finial Officer Jimmy Patronis said in a release.
DFS reported that more arrests are expected to stem from this case.
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