Bronx Man Caught Red-Handed in Slip-and-Fall Scam
A Bronx supermarket owner caught a scammer red-handed trying to fake a slip-and-fall accident inside his store. The shocking security footage reveals the moment the man and his accomplice staged the fall — an attempt to collect a fraudulent payout.
The Setup: A Carefully Planned Scam
The incident began on Jan. 22, 2025, when surveillance footage captured an accomplice, who has not been identified, spilling water in an aisle at the Fine Fare supermarket in the Bronx. Moments later, Julio Del Aguila enters the area, appearing to shop for bottled water. While grabbing multiple packs from the shelf, he keeps a close watch on an elderly couple who happened to be shopping in the same spot. After stacking two 12-packs and a large water jug, Del Aguila took one last glance at the couple before dramatically slipping and collapsing to the floor.
Immediately, nearby shoppers and store employees rushed to help. However, store manager Jeovany Perez was suspicious of Del Aguila's behavior. "He did not look like he was hurt to me," Perez said to the Post. "It seemed he just wanted to leave. He didn't call for an ambulance, the police." Instead, Del Aguila grabbed his back, hobbled away, and exited the store.
The Store Owner's Determination
After reviewing the surveillance footage, the supermarket owner Miguel Luna quickly realized the entire event had been staged. Outraged, he contacted law enforcement. "I want to put this guy in jail," he stated to The Post, making it clear that he would not let his business suffer from fraudulent claims.
"I got suspicious and went to look at the cameras to see who threw the water there because there was no water there before. When I checked, I saw what happened. Maybe that's why he wanted to leave fast, because it was a scam," Perez stated to the Post.
The Hidden Costs of Slip-and-Fall Scams
On Feb. 2, a New York City lawyer representing Del Aguila notified the supermarket that his client intended to pursue a personal injury claim. However, the attorney quickly dropped Del Aguila, suspecting fraud.
This wasn't Del Aguila's first attempt at a slip-and-fall scam. In 2017, he claimed to have suffered "serious injuries" after allegedly falling in a Key Food supermarket in the Bronx. He filed a lawsuit the following year, citing pain, mental anguish, and permanent injuries. The case was settled out of court, adding to the growing number of fraudulent claims that have driven up insurance costs for business owners.
Luna emphasized that without vigilance, scams like these could become costly for store owners and, ultimately, customers, as businesses often raise prices to cover losses. He noted that insurance companies sometimes prefer to settle cases for $20,000 to $30,000 rather than spend on legal fees, making fraud an expensive problem.
Pedro Goico, the owner of another Bronx grocery store, reported that his insurance costs had skyrocketed from $35,000 to $160,000 due to fraudulent slip-and-fall claims.
A Growing Problem for Businesses
Slip-and-fall scams are nothing new, but advancements in surveillance technology are making it harder for fraudsters to succeed. Security cameras have become one of the most effective tools for business owners fighting back against fraudulent claims.
In this case, a quick-thinking store owner prevented a massive fraudulent payout. As more businesses take a stand against scammers, those looking for an easy payday may find it increasingly difficult to get away with their schemes.
References: Bronx supermarket owner foils alleged slip-and-fall scam | Store security video catches NYC slip-and-fall scammer red-handed: 'I want to put this guy in jail'
