State Accuses Five North Hollywood Residents of Defaulting on Car Loans, Filing Bogus Insurance Claims

Thirteen people were arrested today in the Los Angeles area -- including five North Hollywood residents -- for their alleged participation in a million-dollar scheme involving auto loan fraud and insurance fraud, authorities said.

The arrests were part of "Operation High End," a four-year investigation into an an organized fraud ring targeting Southland auto dealers handling high-end vehicles such as those made by Mercedes-Benz and BMW, according to the state's Department of Insurance.

"Insurance fraud is a multi-billion-dollar drain on California's economy that results in higher insurance premiums for California businesses and consumers," Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said.

"This organized fraud ring filled their pockets by ripping off insurance companies and auto dealers," Jones said."These individuals conspired to purchase and lease vehicles with the sole intent to default on the loans and make bogus insurance claims."

Warrants were issued for the arrests of 17 people in Los Angeles and one person in Fresno. The five North Hollywood residents are:

• Minas Gevorgyan
• Peter Yerkanyan
• Vardan Grigoryan 
• Gayane Sargsyan
• Harutyun Gevorgyan

The suspects allegedly bought or leased high-end vehicles, "many of which were acquired fraudulently by various individuals who lied about their employment or income on credit applications to qualify for loans of leases," a CDI statement said.

"The suspects then defaulted on the loans and leases, while at the same time filing false insurance claims on the defaulted vehicles," the CDI statement said.

Eighteen dealerships were defrauded in the scheme, which involved more than 20 new luxury vehicles and five used vehicles, including those made by Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Lexus.

Authorities did not identify the car dealers, citing an ongoing investigation.

Eleven insurers were affected, ncluding Geico, Farmers, State Farm, Nationwide and Allstate. The case will be prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.

--City News Service

Patch Editor Penny Arévalo contributed to this report.