Two Arrested in Calif. for Staging Auto Accidents

Two suspects in California have been arrested in connection with staging automobile accidents and filing insurance claims for medical treatment they falsely claimed to have received in other countries, according to the California Department of Insurance.

According to investigators, Ron Ranasingh conspired with other named co-defendants in staging three vehicle accidents that between Feb. 2003 and Sept.r 2004. After each accident, Ranasingh and others submitted tens of thousands of dollars in false insurance claims, CDI said. Agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security tracked down addresses listed on fake bills submitted for chiropractor offices in Sri Lanka, New Delhi and Hong Kong to find they weren’t chiropractic offices at all.

CDI investigators say Ron Ranasingh (also known as Harsh Rana Singe) 38, of Ontario, Canada, was arrested by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security while traveling through Miami from London. CDI requested Homeland Security’s assistance in tracking Ranasingh’s travels overseas, and in securing his arrest. Ranasingh was extradited to Santa Clara County, Calif., on Feb. 22, 2007, where he remains in custody. His bail hearing is set for today, Wednesday, March 7, 2007.

Jennifer Huynh, 52, of San Jose, was arrested on Feb. 28, 2007 on one felony count of insurance fraud related to the case. She was booked at the Santa Clara County Jail. Two more suspects in the case are expected to be arrested within the next several weeks. Neil Forde, 41, of Hollis, N.Y., is expected to turn himself in for arrest. Negotiations are underway for the arrest of a fourth suspect.

Ranasingh and the co-defendants were charged with multiple felony violations of insurance fraud, grand theft and conspiracy.

The false claims were first discovered by the California State Automobile Association (CSAA) Special Investigation Unit, which has cooperated with and assisted CDI throughout the lengthy investigation.

Source: CDI