A group of individuals and medical providers are accused of systematically staging automobile accidents using a popular rideshare platform in order to file fraudulent insurance claims, according to a complaint filed by three companies in federal court. The lawsuit was brought by Uber Technologies, Inc., Rasier-NY LLC, and Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company against multiple defendants including Georgette Powell, Omar Zavier Allen, Kevar Taylor, Shamarie Livingston, Anelka Ricardo Green, Konato Rashidi Campbell, Diyonta Balfour, Vivian Marshall, Renato Campbell, Keeno H. Morrison, Shantia Wittingham, Dwayne Hyde, Shedah James, Odean Samuels as well as several corporate entities such as Accucare Solutions Inc., Advanced Ortho DME Corp., Liberty MD LLC, Medical Supply of NY Direct Services Corp., Ortho Med Spa Inc., Rockaway Blvd Pharmacy, Simeon Isaacs M.D., and Super Associates P.C. The complaint was filed on April 14, 2026 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
The plaintiffs allege that a closely connected group referred to as the “Fraud Ring” has carried out at least eight staged automobile collisions targeting unsuspecting drivers who use the Uber application. According to the filing, these incidents follow a repeating pattern: two or more members of the alleged ring request an Uber ride late at night from residential side streets in Nassau County or nearby areas. After being picked up by an independent driver using the Uber app—who is not part of the scheme—the vehicle is intentionally struck by another co-conspirator’s car in what appears to be a minor hit-and-run collision.
Following these incidents—which plaintiffs state are almost always minor with no injuries reported by drivers—the passengers submit claims alleging serious bodily injuries. These claims are then treated at certain medical facilities named as defendants in the case. The medical providers subsequently submit insurance claims for No-Fault benefits under New York law to Liberty Mutual.
The complaint outlines specific examples dating from August 2023 through March 2025 where this pattern allegedly occurred. For instance:
- On August 13, 2023, two defendants requested an Uber ride near Hempstead; soon after pick-up their vehicle was grazed by another car which fled the scene. Both passengers claimed injuries while the driver was uninjured.
- Similar staged incidents are described on August 20 and August 23 (both in Nassau County), October 10 (Valley Stream), October 26 (Valley Stream), July 29 (Mt Vernon), September 22 (Mount Vernon), and March 1 (Valley Stream) with consistent methods: late-night requests from similar locations leading to intentional minor collisions followed by injury claims.
The lawsuit references findings from arbitration cases where arbitrators concluded there was sufficient evidence that some incidents were staged for fraudulent purposes. One arbitrator stated: “I find that Respondent [LIBERTY MUTUAL] has set forth sufficient evidence of fraud... I find that Respondent has established that the subject accident was a staged/intentional loss.” Another decision noted: “Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, and three times a pattern... I find the respondent has demonstrated that the incident... was a staged incident.”
Plaintiffs argue that these activities violate conditions within Liberty Mutual’s insurance policies—including exclusions for intentional acts or misrepresentations—and cite New York case law supporting denial of coverage for deliberate collisions intended to defraud insurers. They also allege violations related to failures by some defendants to appear for required Examinations Under Oath during claim investigations.
The complaint states that over $312,979 has been paid out in combined loss payments and expenses related to seven described losses due to this alleged scheme. Plaintiffs assert they have suffered additional harm through investigative costs and business disruption beyond direct payouts.
In addition to seeking damages under New York law for financial harm suffered as victims of fraud and conspiracy—claims supported by detailed factual allegations—plaintiffs request declaratory judgment from the court stating they owe no coverage or reimbursement obligations under existing policies because these were not genuine accidents but coordinated efforts to secure unwarranted benefits.
Legal representation for plaintiffs is indicated but attorney names are not specified within available portions of the document. The case is identified as Case No. 2:26-cv-02195.
Source: 226cv02195_Uber_Technologies_Inc_v_Powell_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf