5 arrested for staging car crash in Florida insurance fraud scheme: CFO

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Five suspects were arrested on Monday following a staged motor vehicle collision scheme, according to Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. An Investigation was launched by CID following a tip received from an insurance company regarding a suspicious vehicle incident. Ingoglia reports that two of the suspects were involved in a car accident involving a vehicle that collided into a tree. Evidence gathered by CID during the investigation helped them to obtain confessions from the suspects, who said that the accident was staged and pre-planned. Three other suspects were employed at a physical therapy clinic in Miami, Ingoglia said, where they allegedly obtained numerous blank physical therapy forms and submitted claims from the accident for unrendered services. The amount stolen totaled $30,936.80. “Staged crashes are dangerous schemes that put innocent lives at risk at the expense of someone’s financial gain. These criminals who tried to exploit the system for their own greed will face repercussions for their actions. There is no room for fraud in Florida, and there is no room for criminal illegal aliens. My investigators will continue to identify and arrest these fraudsters," said Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.  Ingoglia reports that the Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division (CID) arrested Yumilka Melendez Pagan, Yancenia Diaz, Milaimi Gonzalez Acosta, Alfredo Ernesto Phinney Estrada, and Vidal Jose Rojas Balbas. Each suspect has been charged with the intent of defrauding an insurance company by billing for non-existent injuries. Additionally, Balbas and Pagan have been charged with orchestrating a staged attack. Diaz, Acosta, and Estrada have been charged with insurance fraud, grand theft, and organized scheme to defraud. If convicted each suspect faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.