LOS ANGELES — California Department of Insurance detectives have arrested seven suspects on 31 felony charges of auto insurance fraud for their alleged involvement in a family-run organized auto insurance fraud ring dubbed Operation Car Seats. The suspects allegedly filed dozens of fraudulent insurance claims using receipts for high-end child car seats costing an average of $950 each to claim a higher undeserved payout from insurers. The fraud resulted in a nearly $180,000 loss to the insurer.

“Auto insurance fraud is an assault on every person or family that works hard to pay for car insurance,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “Shame on the individuals who file false claims to be on the receiving end of a higher payout from their insurance companies.  This effects all of us in higher insurance premiums.”

After receiving a tip from the insurer, California Department of Insurance detectives launched an investigation which revealed that from 2014 to 2017, alleged ringleader, Lawanda Bogan, 42, of Long Beach, conspired with family members and close friends to file 32 false insurance claims to an insurer totaling $179,106.

The suspects claimed multiple high-end child car seats costing an average of $950 each were in the vehicles at the time of the accidents and submitted digitally altered receipts for the car seats to pad their claims to receive higher, undeserved insurance payouts. The car seats accounted for $77,897 of the insurer’s loss.

The investigation also found that multiple claims were for accidents that never took place, also called “paper collisions.” To further substantiate the alleged fraud, the suspects submitted digitally altered medical bills and vehicle repair bills.

This case is a part of the Los Angeles County Automobile Insurance Fraud Task Force, which is comprised of the California Department of Insurance, California Highway Patrol, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Automobile Insurance Fraud Unit.

Suspects:

Lawanda Bogan, 42 of Long Beach,arrested on 02/06/20

18 Counts of 550(b)(1) - Insurance Fraud

Jasmine Jackson, 31, of Long Beach, arrested on 02/06/20

3 Counts of 550(b)(1) - Insurance Fraud

Anthony Ficklin, 37, of Long Beach, arrested on 02/06/20

2 Counts of 550(b)(1) - Insurance Fraud

Cozette Baldwin (58) of Bellflower, CA. Arrested on 02/06/20

3 Counts of 550(b)(1) - Insurance Fraud

Natasha Bogan, 39, of Bellflower, arrested on 02/06/20

5 Counts of 550(b)(1) - Insurance Fraud

Claudia Nunez, 50, of Carson, arrested on 02/07/20

7 Counts of 550(b)(1) - Insurance Fraud

Sherrell Scott, 31, of Inglewood, arrested on 02/11/20

8 Counts of 550(b)(1) - Insurance Fraud