Community Insurance Fraud Initiatives

In September 2003, the tragic death of a Lawrence grandmother in a staged car accident led to the creation of the first Community Insurance Fraud Initiative (CIFI), which has since helped reduce fraudulent auto insurance claims and premiums across Massachusetts.


In September 2003, a 65-year-old Lawrence, Massachusetts grandmother died in a motor vehicle accident. It was soon revealed that the accident had been staged in order for the occupants in the two vehicles involved in the crash to fake injuries and collect for pain and suffering. This tragic event spurred the formation of the first Community Insurance Fraud Initiative (CIFI) in October 2003 in the City of Lawrence. That first CIFI, the sole purpose of which was to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of staged automobile accidents, continues to make inroads toward reducing the number of fraudulent accidents and resulting claims reported in Lawrence saving auto insurance premiums for its residents.

Since 2004, thirteen additional CIFIs have been created throughout Massachusetts. Each CIFI is comprised of representatives from the Insurance Fraud Bureau, local police departments and prosecutors from county district attorney’s offices. CIFI efforts are also supported by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office and auto insurance companies across the state. This effort has had a major impact in reducing fraud in auto insurance and has been a major factor in reducing premiums across the Commonwealth.

  • The Boston CIFI investigates suspected automobile insurance fraud in Boston, East Boston, Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain, and Hyde Park.

    04-23-2025

    Complaints were issued against a Roxbury woman on charges of motor vehicle insurance fraud and attempt to commit a crime. She is alleged to have reported that on July 17, 2022 her 2011 Ford Taurus was hit while parked causing damage to the rear driver side. She also alleged that no one else drove the Ford. Investigation revealed that materials were present on the vehicle to support rear to front directional contact with white and black latex paint transfers and fresh contact scuffs on the road facing horizontal surfaces of the bumper cover. This type of damage could not be inflicted by another motor vehicle while the Ford was parked as reported. There was no evidence of automotive paint transfer, just the white and black latex paint transfers. The reconstruction report concluded that the damage was inflicted as the Ford was backing up and struck a ground-based object or structure. The woman denied striking anything with the Ford and denied that someone might have borrowed the Ford. She was adamant the Ford was hit while parked. She had one set of keys and there were no copies.

  • 06-09-2026

    Complaints were issued against a Brockton woman on charges of motor vehicle insurance fraud and attempt to commit a crime. The woman is alleged to have reported that on May 3, 2023, her 2017 Nissan Altima was hit while parked causing damage to the entire passenger side and the driver side mirror of her vehicle. A vehicle damage analysis concluded that the right-side tires had rotational damage consistent with sideswipe damage to the passenger side. The body panel damage had white latex non-automotive paint embedded within the front to rear contact scrapes and scuffs. The woman stated that she was unsure how the driver side mirror could have been damaged and be related to the passenger side. She reported that the damage could have been intentional as she has issues with people in her city.

  • 04-18-2026

    Complaints were issued against a Revere man on charges of motor vehicle insurance fraud and attempt to commit a crime. The man is alleged to have reported that on September 11, 2023 his 2018 Toyota Corolla was hit while parked causing damage to the driver side front fender, tire rim, door, and mirror. He stated that he parked the Toyota and then returned the following morning to discover the damage. A forensic examination revealed that damage to the Toyota was inconsistent with a hit while parked occurrence. According to the report, the Toyota was in motion when it sideswiped a fixed metal object. The front alloy tire rim had fresh rotational contact damage on the wheel spokes at an elevation that was consistent with damage to the driver side front quarter. He stated that he is the only operator of the Toyota and that he had possession of both sets of keys. He denied causing any of the damage.

  • 10-16-2025

    The case against a Taunton man was continued without a finding for one year on a charge of motor vehicle insurance fraud. He was ordered to complete twenty hours of community service and pay a $90 victim witness fee. The Taunton man reported that on September 21, 2022, his 2017 Ford Fusion collided with a utility pole causing damage to the entire passenger side. He reported that he was going to see his mother when a bug flew into his vehicle causing him to swerve and hit a pole. Investigation revealed that this loss occurred only two days after the automobile policy inception with Esurance, becoming effective September 19, 2022. In addition, the man had a prior insurance claim that occurred on August 29, 2022, in which there was a lapse in coverage with another insurance carrier. When questioned about a prior loss on August 29, 2022 with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, he denied submitting a claim with Liberty and stated that there was no prior damage other than a flat tire that needed repair.

  • A Lawrence man was placed on pretrial probation for one year on charges of motor vehicle insurance fraud and attempt to commit a crime. He was ordered to pay $756 in restitution. The Lawrence man reported to Mapfre Insurance Company that on December 10, 2021, his 2014 Subaru Forester was hit while parked causing damage to the driver side and bottom of the doors. A forensic examination revealed that there are no bumpers on any typical car, minivan, pickup truck, or SUV low enough to strike the bottom of the Subaru doors. The yellow paint markings on the Subaru were thick and inconsistent with automotive paint. The paint found was consistent with paint used on an exterior pole, pole base, wall, or some other barrier. The damage was consistent with the Subaru striking a low yellow painted, fixed object and not from the Subaru coming into contact with another vehicle. The Lawrence man stated that he had no other accidents with the vehicle and denied the possibility that the vehicle had been involved in an accident while being operated.

  • 04-28-2026

    Complaints were issued against a Lynn man on charges of motor vehicle insurance fraud and attempt to commit a crime. The man is alleged to have reported that on April 21, 2024 his 2019 Honda Accord was hit while parked causing damage to the driver side front bumper, gearbox, suspension, and undercarriage. The Police were never notified of this incident. A damage analysis concluded that the damage was inconsistent with a hit while parked occurrence. The analysis stated that damage to the Honda was caused when it was in motion, striking a curb, and driving over it. The man denied causing any damage to the Honda. He stated that he was in possession of the ignition key and that nobody else drove the vehicle on the night of the hit while parked occurrence. He also stated that there was no pre-existing damage to the Honda before the hit while parked occurrence.

  • A complaint was issued against a Foxboro man on a charge of motor vehicle insurance fraud. The Foxboro man is alleged to have reported to Liberty Mutual Insurance Company that his 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 was hit while parked on March 10, 2022 causing damage to the front. The loss occurred at a shopping plaza. Investigation revealed that the damage was caused due to the "depth of intrusion not consistent with hwp." A physical damage analysis concluded that the damage to the Mercedes occurred while the vehicle was being driven and collided with another vehicle. The Foxboro man denied causing the damage to the Mercedes. He stated that even if he did do the damage, the insurance company should have paid for it because he had insurance.

  • 07-07-2026

    Complaints were issued against a Springfield man on charges of motor vehicle insurance fraud and attempt to commit a crime. He is alleged to have reported that on December 21, 2024 his 2011 BMW 328 Sedan was stolen from his residence. Local police completed a report and had the man sign the Stolen Motor Vehicle Report. The man reported that he started his BMW to let it warm up, went inside for five minutes, and when he came back out the BMW was gone. He maintained that the BMW was running and the vehicle had no issues prior to the theft. The man stated that the BMW had a lot of stuff wrong with it when he bought it and he brought the vehicle to "Quick Fix" to fix all the problems. A mechanical analysis revealed that the BMW had electrical issues that would not allow it to operate properly. As a result, the BMW was at an auto body shop from October 2024 to December 21, 2024 with electrical problems. Investigation revealed that on December 21, 2024, at approximately 11:30AM, his vehicle was towed (at his request) by VJ’s Auto to Marlborough Street in Springfield, MA, the location of the vehicle recovery by the local fire department. The man’s vehicle was not stolen from his residence as he reported.

  • 07-29-2026

    A Worcester man pleaded guilty on a charge of motor vehicle insurance fraud. He was sentenced to serve eighteen months in the House of Corrections. Soup reported that on March 26, 2024, he was operating his 2016 Mercedes-Benz when another vehicle struck the Mercedes and fled the scene causing damage to the driver’s side. Investigation revealed that the damage to the driver’s side was pre-existing. The man was pulled over by police on March 18, 2024, for operating a vehicle with a suspended license. The police report documented that the Mercedes had visible damage to the driver’s side and front bumper. A comparison of the photos taken of the Mercedes at the time of the loss and the photos taken before the alleged loss revealed that the damage shown in both sets of photos was identical. Further investigation revealed that man attempted to obtain insurance coverage to which he was not entitled. Soup did not have an active automobile policy when the damage occurred to the driver’s side of his vehicle. Soup obtained an insurance policy with MAPFRE and initiated an insurance claim while providing a false date of loss in an attempt to get coverage for pre-existing damage to his vehicle.