The Mysterious Broken Nose

We were called upon to investigate a claim arising out of an automobile versus pedestrian accident in a parking lot, which had resulted in a woman suffering a broken nose. In this instance, the woman was not represented by counsel and did not appear to be pursuing her claim.

We suspected that this case might dovetail with an ongoing investigation into what appeared to be a ring staging fake auto accidents. We located an informant in the community where the ring was located who provided information on several staged accidents by this ring.

In the case of the woman with the broken nose, we carried out the necessary actions to locate the victim in Kern County. In our initial interview she said that the accident had happened and she had been injured. She did not express any interest in proceeding with the claim but had not formally dropped it either. We told her that we would be greatly interested in any additional data she might have and that we had no interest in using any of the information against her.

We subsequently got a telephone call from the woman who told us that she had not been totally candid. We arranged a meeting with her in Los Angeles. She told us that prior to becoming involved with certain individuals in Hollywood, she had been working as a street prostitute in that area.

The young woman said that she had been recruited by two men to be the victim in a staged accident. The two men took her to San Francisco and informed her that she would have to have her nose broken.

The two men and the woman were all in a hotel room and drinking. One of the men wrapped a towel around his fist and struck the woman in the face. This did not break her nose. He then rewrapped the towel and struck her again, but still her nose was not broken. The second man then took the towel, wrapped it around his wrist and then struck her forcefully in the nose. She was knocked unconscious and came to in the morning lying on the hotel carpet covered with blood. The two men were both sleeping in the bed.

She was then instructed on how to make the claim, which she started to do, but then decided that she did not want to pursue it.

We obtained descriptions on the two men, which matched descriptions of two suspects in the ring we were already investigating. Surveillance photos confirmed that the two men involved in the broken nose affair were part of the ring that had been staging various other fake accidents.

Through the informant we identified two other fake accident claims. When we called the insurance carrier on the first claim, we were told that a $10,000.00 check had already been sent out as settlement. When we called the second insurance carrier, we were told by the claims manager that the $10,000.00 check was sitting on his desk. We told him of the circumstances of the claim and suggested that perhaps he would rather not to send the check out. He agreed.

Based upon the information developed, a combined investigation was begun by the Insurance Crime Prevention Institute and the Department of Insurance. Warrants were issued for the arrest of various participants in the fake accident ring.