A Shenandoah County resident who attempted to defraud her insurance company in order to pay off a lien against her vehicle ended up getting arrested instead. Lisa Marie Paniagua, 23, of Toms Brooks, was arrested March 30 and charged with Attempting to Obtain Money by False Pretense.

Paniagua filed a $2,235 claim with her insurance company stating that her 1998 four-door Plymouth vehicle had been involved in a crash. The insurance company questioned the date of the crash since the claimant had allowed the policy to lapse for approximately four months.

Further investigation by the insurance company and Special Agent Dennis W. Dodson with the Insurance Fraud Division of the Virginia State Police found that the wrecked vehicle had been parked in the back yard of Paniagua’s residence for some time. Grass had grown up in the car’s grill, and the car was covered with tree sap. It was determined that Paniaqua had falsified the date of the crash, which had actually occurred during the time her automobile insurance had lapsed.

On the advice of Albert Mitchell, Shenandoah County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Paniagua was arrested on the charge of Attempting to Obtain Money by False Pretense. She was released on her own recognizance and is awaiting trial in Shenandoah County Circuit Court.

The Virginia State Police is committed to "Stamp Out" insurance fraud occurring in the Commonwealth. If you have knowledge of a fraudulent insurance scheme or suspect you may have been the victim of insurance fraud, report the activity to Virginia State Police Insurance Fraud Division on the insurance fraud hotline at 1-877-62FRAUD (1-877-623-7283) or visit www.stampoutfraud.com. You may also be eligible to receive a reward of up to $25,000.