UPLAND, Calif. - Four Southern Californians were arraigned today in an alleged staged collision scheme that endangered an innocent driver and is tied to coordinated insurance fraud. The defendants include: Jhoiner Rodriguez Celis, 31, of Anaheim, Melissa Cervantes De La Torre, 30, of Upland, Nailer Mendez Diaz, 35, of Anaheim, and Plata Sampayo, 28, of Upland.

The arraignment follows an investigation by the Inland Empire Automobile Insurance Fraud Task Force, which includes the California Department of Insurance, California Highway Patrol, the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, and the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.

"Staged collisions are not victimless crimes. They can leave innocent drivers physically, emotionally, and financially impacted," said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. "The work our Inland Empire Automobile Insurance Fraud Task Force is doing is essential in keeping California drivers safe. We will continue to work with our partners to protect innocent consumers from being targeted in fraud schemes."

The investigation, "All You Can Claim," began after the Upland Police Department contacted the task force after they suspected multiple crashes of being staged for insurance payouts. Detectives determined the defendants were friends and found that on June 8, 2025, they staged a collision in Upland by intentionally crashing into one another. Further investigation revealed, on April 21, 2025, Plata Sampayo and Cervantes De La Torre caused a separate collision in Montclair where they targeted an innocent driver who was not connected to the scheme.

Detectives reviewed body-worn camera footage from the Upland Police Department related to the June 8 collision, which shows officers arriving at the scene after the crash where Plata Sampayo and Cervantes De La Torre were in a vehicle that struck another vehicle occupied by Rodriguez Celis and Mendez Diaz. Detectives determined allfour sought medical attention after the crash in an attempt to legitimize their alleged injuries and increase insurance payouts.The estimated loss in this case was $36,000.

The task force, Department of Insurance detectives, Upland Police Department SWAT team, and Riverside County District Attorney's Office Bureau of Investigation executed search warrants at four locations and arrested the defendants on March 19, 2026. Plata Sampayo also had an outstanding warrant for robbery out of Los Angeles County. All were booked at the West Valley Detention Center.

On May 26, 2026, the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office filed felony insurance fraud charges against all four defendants. Cervantes De La Torre and Plata Sampayo were additionally charged with assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the April 21 collision involving the innocent driver.

There has also been concerns raised about a vehicle towing scam. One of the scams in this case involves a tow truck showing up immediately after a collision occurs and offering to help the driver by towing their vehicle to a body shop. Then the body shop forces the driver to pay a large amount of money typically not covered by your insurance in order to get your vehicle back.

The Department believes there may be additional victims connected to this group. Anyone who believes they may have been involved in a collision with any of the defendants, or who suspects a staged collision, is urged to contact the California Department of Insurance at 909-919-2200. Report suspected insurance fraud to the California Department of Insurance: 1-800-927-4357 or insurance.ca.gov. What may appear to be a routine accident could be part of a coordinated fraud scheme targeting innocent drivers.

Charges

Penal Code 550(A)(3) - Insurance Fraud - Knowingly cause or participate in a vehicular collision, or any other vehicular accident, for the purpose of presenting any false or fraudulent claim.

A violation of Penal Code 550(a)(3), is generally charged as a felony, punishable by two, three, or five years in state prison and/or a fine of up to $50,000 or double the amount of the fraud, whichever is greater. If charged as a misdemeanor, the penalty can be up to one year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

Cases of Note

Notable Cases of Auto Collision Fraud

1997 -  710 Freeway Incident in California

- A family tragically lost their lives due to a staged crash orchestrated by a fraud ring. This incident highlighted the severe consequences of auto insurance fraud and led to increased awareness and legislative action.