The California Department of Insurance published a press release warning consumers of an ongoing auto fraud ring in Southern California.

The Department’s Inland Empire Automobile Insurance Fraud Task Force has already arraigned and charged 16 California residents who have allegedly collected $216,932 in fraudulent insurance claims.

The fraud ring engages in multiple methods of fraud, including holding vehicles hostage and collusive collisions. One method involves a tow truck showing up to the scene of an accident immediately after it occurs and towing the vehicle to a body shop in on the scheme. The body shop then charges the driver a large amount to get their vehicle returned.