NCJ Number
63103
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 48 Issue: 10 Dated: (OCTOBER 1979) Pages: 16-20
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES INNER CITY ARSON AS INSURANCE FRAUD AND DESCRIBES METHODS TO EXPOSE THE CRIME AND BRING ABOUT THE ARREST OF THE GUILTY PERSON.
Abstract
THE CLASSIC PATTERN OF INNER CITY ARSON AS INSURANCE FRAUD IS EXPLAINED, AND THE SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS THAT INDICATE THAT A FIRE WAS SET FOR INSURANCE FRAUD PURPOSES ARE DETAILED. THESE CLUES INCLUDE PROPERTY GIVEN AN INFLATED VALUE AS BASIS FOR ADDITIONAL INSURANCE COVERAGE, INSURANCE OBTAINED JUST BEFORE A FIRE OCCURS, MULTIPLE ORIGINS OF A FIRE, A VACANT BUILDING OR ONE STRIPPED OF ANY VALUABLE CONTENTS, AND A HISTORY OF PREVIOUS FIRES. CRIMINALS INVOLVED IN AN INNER CITY ARSON CASE MAY BE GUILTY OF MORE THAN ARSON. THEY MAY BE VIOLATING OTHER STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS COVERING INSURANCE FRAUD, BANK AND MAIL FRAUD, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, AND PERJURY. EVIDENCE OF FRAUD MAY BE DEVELOPED FROM AVAILABLE RECORDS WHICH DEMONSTRATE THE PROPERTY INVESTOR'S INVOLVEMENT BY SHOWING CONFLICTING INFORMATION, DECEPTION, AND FALSE STATEMENTS. OTHER RECORDS TO REVIEW INCLUDES THE REGISTER OF DEEDS AND CITY AND COUNTY TAX RECORDS. FINALLY, THE ARTICLE POINTS OUT THAT INNER CITY ARSON SCHEMES OFTEN INVOLVE PERSONS WITH FINANCIAL WEALTH AND STATUS. INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES ARE GIVEN. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (RFC)