Arraignment of Four in Fraudulent Insurance Scheme in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, four individuals have been arraigned on accusations of participating in an alleged scheme to stage automobile collisions for fraudulent insurance claims. According to the Inland Empire Automobile Insurance Fraud Task Force, which includes various California state agencies, the defendants reportedly orchestrated collisions to illegally secure insurance payouts. Charged are Jhoiner Rodriguez Celis and Nailer Mendez Diaz of Anaheim, along with Melissa Cervantes De La Torre and Plata Sampayo from Upland.

The task force's comprehensive investigation revealed these alleged fraudulent activities, prompted by the Upland Police Department's suspicions about potentially orchestrated crashes for claims. The defendants reportedly simulated a collision in June 2025 in Upland and another in April 2025 in Montclair, involving an unsuspecting third party. Police body camera footage from the June scene exposed suspicious behavior, suggesting the parties involved were feigning injuries to bolster their claims.

The investigation resulted in the execution of search warrants and arrests in March 2026, with estimated losses reaching $36,000. Felony insurance fraud charges have been filed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, alongside assault charges for two defendants related to the Montclair incident. The California Department of Insurance urges victims of staged collisions to report incidents, reinforcing its commitment to protecting consumers and maintaining robust regulatory compliance within the insurance sector.