Nine people have been arrested in the Lafayette, La.-area and accused of staging auto wrecks to collect insurance proceeds.
State police say the allegations include preparing and submitting fake medical bills, claiming pre-existing damage on vehicles and exaggerating injuries. Troopers say that in some cases, the suspects staged crashes using their own vehicles. One used a vehicle borrowed from a family member, while another used a rented vehicle.
The charges range from insurance fraud to felony theft. If convicted of insurance fraud, the maximum penalty is five years in jail and a $5,000 fine. If found guilty of felony theft, the person faces up to five years behind bars and a fine of up to $2,000.
All of the suspects were arrested on April 5.
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