Seventeen charged with insurance fraud
A Philadelphia chiropractor and an attorney from Huntingdon Valley are among seventeen people accused of mail fraud in connection with a scam to bilk insurance companies.
Caption: FBI Special Agent-In Charge Janice Fedarcyk
A Philadelphia chiropractor and an attorney from Huntingdon Valley are among seventeen people accused of mail fraud in connection with a scam to bilk insurance companies.
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[audio: 100219LFINSURANCE.mp3]
The alleged scheme to defraud insurance companies relied on staging phony automobile accidents – or pretending an automobile accident happened.
Then the fake accident victims allegedly filed fraudulent insurance claims.
FBI Special Agent-In Charge Janice Fedarcyk says insurance fraud victimizes companies that pay out the settlements, and honest people whose monthly premiums rise as a result.
Fedarcyk: Some estimates place fraudulent medical insurance billing at up to 10% of total healthcare programs nationwide. At a time when premiums for many types of insurance are rising and many Americans are struggling to keep their insurance coverage, these criminal schemes place excessive and unnecessary burdens on our insurance and healthcare systems.
The indictment is part of a long-term joint investigation. So far fifty-eight defendants connected with the case have pleaded guilty in state court.
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