North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Kenneth Dean Alexander Cooper, 46, of 2109 Pelham Road, Raleigh. Cooper was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies.
Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Cooper of attempting to obtain payments from Sentry Insurance Co. by falsely claiming he was injured in an automobile collision.
The offenses occurred between Sept. 16, 2019, and Aug. 11, 2020.
Special Agents and Raleigh police arrested Cooper on Aug. 24. He was released from the Wake County Detention Center under $10,000 unsecured bond.
Commissioner Causey estimates fraud costs North Carolinians between 15 and 20 cents on every dollar paid on insurance premiums, maybe more. That’s why he has cracked down on this white-collar crime by boosting the NCDOI Criminal Investigations Division.
Over the past two years, CID Special Agents recovered $7.5 million in damages – money that was returned to consumers and insurance companies. The restitution also helps preserve insurance rates.
To report suspected fraud, contact the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.