Car insurance scam involved one con, many women

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- There are many types of insurance scams, but this one Involves a case of twisted romance.

"When people think they are in love with somebody their judgment is clouded. That is why the romance scam works," said U.S. Postal Inspector Jan Bodon.

That's why Derrick Jimerson was able to manipulate several women into becoming his unwitting accomplices in an elaborate car insurance scam.

"He told these ladies that he used to be an ex-Cowboy player," said Bodon. "He said he had some trouble with the IRS and that was the reason he couldn't purchase vehicles himself."

Jimerson would give the women money to buy cars for him but persuade them to purchase and insure the vehicles in their name.

"Eventually he would call the ladies eventually and say I had an accident in your car, you have to call the insurance company, this is how the accident happened," said Bodon.

He would give them very detailed information.

"A lot of these ladies didn't feel comfortable doing that," said Bodon. "But he told them you have to report the accident yourself because the car is in your name and the coverage is in your name."

A chiropractor was a partner in the scheme.

"The deal was the chiropractor would get half of the proceeds. Mr. Jimerson would get the other half of the proceeds," said Bodon. "Mr. Jimerson would provide the identifiers and the information to the chiropractor, and the chiropractor would then go ahead and complete the medical forms."

Insurance companies lost more than $700,000 in this scam -- until adjustors began asking questions.

"He thought I'm insulating myself by having an accomplice be the one that is providing the fraudulent details to the insurance company," said Bodon.

Jimerson was sentenced to 11 years and 5 months in prison for mail fraud.