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By Mike Wells
The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA - Two years on the lam ended Monday for a Massachusetts fugitive wanted for insurance fraud after he posted his photo on MySpace.com.
According to The Eagle-Tribune in Lawrence, Mass., police arrested Christopher Ortega, 28, at an east Tampa apartment, ending a 10-day search that started from a tip about photos Ortega posted on the popular Internet site. Tampa police were assisted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshal’s Office and Lawrence detectives.
According to The Eagle-Tribune, Ortega faces several charges of auto insurance fraud. Lawrence investigators said he was paid by lawyers and medical clinics to recruit “victims” from phony car accidents and make false insurance claims. The fake crashes date as far back as November 2002.
Ortega remains at Orient Road Jail with no bail amount set. He awaits extradition back to Massachusetts.
Oh my side!! Thank you for such a great example of Criminal Genius. I can’t stop laughing. Too funny!!
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Posted by John Phillips, St. Pete Florida on 03/06 at 04:28 PM
I just ready this story in my home newspaper, Eagle Tribune online. Although I miss living in Mass, I enjoy living in Florida. I am from Lawrence, Mass and unfortunately, incidents like this are embarassing. I enjoy the Tribune and always speak highly of its articles and content. I actually went to high school with one of the detectives who was in Tampa to capture this fraud suspect.
Thanks for the story!!
John Phillips
Tech Writer
Oerlikon USA Inc.