QUEENS (WABC) — A nearly two-year investigation sparked by a viral dashcam video has led to prison sentences for two men who admitted orchestrating a scheme to stage car crashes on New York highways and file fraudulent insurance claims.<\/p>\n
District Attorney Melinda Katz and Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday that 53-year-old Jaime Huiracocha and 34-year-old Victor Murillo pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy.<\/p>\n
According to prosecutors, the pair staged three crashes between August and October 2024 by recruiting passengers and using borrowed vehicles in exchange for large insurance payouts. Katz described the operation as a deliberate effort to manufacture collisions and submit fraudulent claims.<\/p>\n
Investigators said the case began after 31-year-old Ashpia Natasha posted dashcam video<\/a> showing a silver Honda cutting her off on the Belt Parkway and backing into her vehicle. The footage quickly went viral and caught the attention of law enforcement<\/a>.<\/p>\n “We started investigating the viral video and then backed up into these other two that we found out were the same players,” Katz said.<\/p>\n Authorities said the investigation uncovered two additional staged crashes involving a 44-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man, both on the Nassau Expressway. Prosecutors said the participants changed from crash to crash, but Murillo remained a constant presence and served as the driver in the scheme.<\/p>\n During Thursday’s announcement, Hochul warned that the state is increasing its efforts to combat auto insurance fraud, including through a new cross-agency task force and a rebuilt insurance fraud bureau.<\/p>\n Katz also issued a warning to anyone who may be participating in similar schemes, including medical providers and attorneys who facilitate fraudulent claims, saying prosecutors will continue pursuing those involved.<\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n * More Queens news<\/a><\/p>\n * Send us a news tip<\/a><\/p>\n * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts<\/a> <\/p>\n * Download our connected TV app<\/a> <\/p>\n
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