ORANGE— On November 2, 2020, Glory Ghosh, 24, of Northridge, was arraigned on multiple felony counts of insurance fraud after allegedly filing a fraudulent insurance claim stating her car was stolen.  She is accused of filing the claim after the car was involved in a high-speed pursuit, likely in an attempt to avoid any criminal charges against her husband, the alleged driver in the pursuit.

“Thanks to an investigation by CHP and the California Department of Insurance, this case of suspected fraud was busted wide open,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “As agencies work together and have access to data, more and more of those who commit insurance fraud are being arrested and prosecuted.”

An investigation by the California Department of Insurance revealed that Ghosh filed a claim with Farmers Insurance stating her vehicle had been stolen by an unknown male. In her claim, Ghosh stated she was at a nightclub in Costa Mesa for a birthday party and after leaving with an unidentified male, she exited her 2012 Audi Q5 and he stole her vehicle. The car was then involved in a high-speed pursuit throughout Orange County with the California Highway Patrol. After discontinuing the pursuit due to excessive speeds over 120 mph, CHP located the vehicle stopped at an intersection and clearly saw the male behind the wheel. However, the vehicle fled again, initiating a second pursuit. CHP later identified the driver as Ghosh’s husband, Kumar Harsh, 27, of Norwalk.

After conducting an investigation, CHP arrested Harsh for reckless evading and driving on a suspended license. Ghosh’s claim was filed the day after the vehicle was supposedly stolen. After initially stating her vehicle was taken by an unknown male who was with her while she was leaving the club, Ghosh later changed her story and claimed the vehicle was taken from the club’s valet parking lot.

A warrant was issued with bail in the amount of $1 million. Ghosh subsequently self-surrendered. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.