Yuba City Man Arrested on Charges of Insurance Fraud

Investigators from the California Department of Insurance (CDI) Criminal Investigations Branch’s Fraud Division arrested a Yuba City man on seven felony counts of insurance fraud, grand theft and attempted grand theft. Santokh Sandher, 35, was arrested at his residence and was booked into the Sutter County Jail. Bail was set at $15,000. If convicted, Sandher could face up to five years in state prison and/or a maximum fine of $50,000. The Sutter County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.

According to investigators, in October of 2000 Sandher reported to his insurance company that major parts on his truck were stolen and replaced with old parts. He reported that this incident had occurred while the truck was parked in front of his residence. The alleged swapped parts he listed were the engine, transmission, muffler, tailpipe, alternator, carburetor, and wheels.

Two independent appraisers inspected the truck and found no evidence that any of the parts had been replaced. The dealer who sold the truck to Sandher approximately two months prior to the alleged incident identified pictures of the wheels, which were installed by the dealership prior to Sandher’s purchase of the truck.

Although the total loss was estimated at $2,800, Western United Insurance Company paid only $500 on this claim.