Solicitations in Michigan

NICB agent received a request from FBI to assist with an ongoing medical fraud investigation in the Detroit area. The investigation focus was on several medical providers, attorneys, and business owners.  Through the course of the investigation, NICB developed intelligence, which was shared with the FBI that assisted in uncovering an alleged scheme to illegally obtain police reports of auto accidents and solicit the crash victims for legal and medical services in the Metro Detroit area.  Two defendants were indicted in October 2020 and six additional defendants were indicted on December 16, 2020 bringing the total number of indictments related to this investigation to 19.  The indictments allege that between July 2014 and April 2018, these defendants exchanged money to share stolen police reports about Detroit area auto accidents.  Some of the defendants worked as phone solicitors, in violation of Michigan law, for businesses that contacted the accident victims to steer them to specific personal injury lawyers, chiropractors, and MRI centers.  The police reports were illegally obtained prior to being available publicly.  The defendants are charged in US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan with; Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, and, Aiding or Assisting in Preparing a False Tax Return.