On Thursday, January 3, 2019, the Louisiana State Police announced the arrests of seven New Orleans-area residents on charges related to automotive insurance fraud. The arrests mark the end of a five-month investigation.

The State Police allege that the seven charged rented a vehicle and staged an automobile accident on October 14, 2016 at the intersection of Law and Forstall Streets in New Orleans. Following the accident, the group filed a police report with the New Orleans Police Department and then made insurance claims for damages. Detectives were tipped off in August 2018 by the Louisiana Department of Insurance and subsequently obtained a confession. The suspects were arrested for two counts of Automotive Insurance Fraud, Criminal Damage to Property with the Intention to Defraud, Injuring Public Records, and Filing False Public Records.

Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud/Auto Theft Unit

The Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud/Auto Theft Unit is responsible for investigating referrals of suspected fraudulent insurance acts and for the investigation of individuals and illicit organizations involved. Anyone having knowledge of a fraudulent scheme may report the activity to the Louisiana State Police by emailing insurance.fraud.unit@dps.la.gov or online at the Suspicious Activity link.