North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Malik Gerald Devone, 26, of 2503 Crescent Forest Drive, Raleigh. Devone 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 Devone of providing Discovery Insurance Co. with a false date for an automobile crash in an effort to obtain an insurance claim payment.
According to the arrest warrant, Devone told the insurance company that the crash occurred on July 28. It actually occurred on June 2, before he obtained insurance coverage, the warrant says.
The offenses occurred between July 16 and Oct. 26.
Devone turned himself in on Nov. 8 at the Wake County Detention Center. He was released on a written promise to appear in court.
“Insurance fraud hurts consumers,” Commissioner Causey said. “Approximately 20% of your insurance premium goes to cover the cost of fraud. That’s why I’m aggressively pursuing and prosecuting insurance fraud in North Carolina.”
If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may report fraud anonymously by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.