How Are We Doing?
Some Current Statistics

Arrests and Convictions: First Three Quarters, 2001 – 2002

• The Frauds Bureau recorded 575 arrests during the first nine months of 2002, surpassing the total for the same period a year ago by a whopping 53%. The number of arrests for the January – September 2002 period has already exceeded the previous record-high of 554 arrests for all of 2001.

• The Frauds Bureau was involved in a number of major investigations that led to the record-breaking number of arrests during the first nine months of 2002.

• In what is believed to be the largest ongoing investigation of insurance fraud in the State, investigators used the forfeiture statutes to seize the assets of a body shop in Suffolk County and arrest the president, the vice-president and co-owner, and the general manager in July. The property seized included $117,000 in cash, $140.000 in various bank accounts and more than $1 million in commercial real estate.

• In March, 30 individuals were charged in a $1.6 million undercover sting operation that resulted in the recovery of 68 reportedly stolen vehicles. State Farm and GEICO provided funds to aid the investigation.

• A joint investigation with the Attorney General’s Auto Insurance Fraud Unit led to the arrest in January of 20 suspects accused of staging accidents and submitting phony medical claims.

 

 

• The Frauds Bureau received 18,389 reports of suspected insurance fraud during the first three quarters of 2002, versus 17,142 for the same period a year earlier. The Bureau encourages all insurers to take advantage of our electronic system for submitting fraud reports. We receive the reports in real time and you eliminate paper copies. Currently, more that half of all reports are submitted electronically– We’re shooting for 100%.