Bristol West, CNIC and LAPD Uncover Auto Fraud Ring

Los Angeles — Special investigators from Coast National Insurance Co. (CNIC), a division of Davie, Fla.-based Bristol West, worked closely with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Los Angeles District Attorney's Office and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) to bring down a 46-member auto fraud ring. Bristol West is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based Farmers Insurance Group Inc., and operates CNIC.

"The investigation of the Rodeo Ring was initiated by Bristol West's Coast National Insurance Company (CNIC) after several referrals to our special investigation unit (SIU) from our claims department were found to have similar fact patterns," said Jim Sclafani, Bristol West SVP of claims."The investigation identified insurance fraud, identity theft, money laundering and tax evasion.”

Special investigator Anne Luce found evidence in Bristol West's claims files of a pattern of suspicious facts and began a deep investigation and data analysis that led to a two-year undercover investigation of this auto fraud ring operating in California, according to Sclafani.

"She compiled the information involving specific attorneys, body shops, players and chiropractors and submitted it to the NICB. Together, the evidence went to LAPD Chief Bratton and L.A. District Attorney Steve Cooley,” Sclafani said. "It was a two-year investigation culminating in today's announcement."

Source: Business Wire