Mass. Couple Pulled Over in Auto Fraud Scheme

A Plainville, Massachusetts man and woman were arraigned in connection with allegedly stealing funds from their auto insurance company, lying under oath, and obtaining fake Massachusetts identification cards.

Efrain Colon, age 43, was charged with Motor Vehicle Insurance Fraud (2 counts), Conspiracy (2 counts), Larceny Over $250, Attempted Larceny, and Perjury. Efrain’s girlfriend, Rosita Colon, age 40, was charged with Motor Vehicle Insurance Fraud (2 counts), Larceny Over $250 (2 counts), Conspiracy (2 counts), Falsification of a Massachusetts Identification Card, and Attempting to Falsify a Massachusetts Identification Card.

An investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Office began in October 2007 after the matter had been referred by the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB). Investigators discovered that in October 2003, Rosita, Efrain and two of their children were involved in a minor motor vehicle crash in the South Shore Plaza parking lot in Braintree when they were struck from behind by a mall security vehicle. As a result of the motor vehicle crash, both Efrain and Rosita filed personal injury claims with their insurer, MetLife Home and Auto (MetLife). They also submitted bodily injury claims with Travelers Insurance (Travelers), the insurer for South Shore Plaza Security.

According to authorities, in an effort to recover lost wages from both insurers as a result of the accident, Efrain and Rosita claimed to have missed work from their jobs in Quincy. Based on the documents submitted for their claims, the Colons allegedly received approximately $9,000 from MetLife. Authorities also discovered that Rosita also allegedly settled a bodily injury claim with Travelers for $50,000.

Further investigation conducted by Travelers discovered that the Colons’ former employer’s main office was actually located in Allston, and not in Quincy. Travelers also discovered that the Quincy address given by Efrain and Rosita was actually an apartment rented by relatives at the time of the accident. Upon learning this information, Travelers referred the case to the IFB.

A separate investigation conducted by the IFB discovered that neither Efrain or Rosita Colon had been employed at the time the accident occurred. After their investigation, the IFB then referred the matter to the Attorney General’s Office. Efrain’s claim with Traveler’s did not settle, and he subsequently filed a lawsuit against Travelers for bodily injury in Norfolk Superior Court. During a deposition pursuant to that civil lawsuit, Efrain allegedly made false statements claiming that he was employed full time as of the date of the accident and thereafter.

Indictments were returned indictments against both Rosita and Efrain Colon on June 13, 2008. Rosita and Efrain Colon were arraigned in Plymouth Superior Court, at which time both defendants entered individual pleas of not guilty and were released on personal recognizance.

Both defendants are due back in court on Sept. 24, 2008, for a pre-trial conference.