North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Christian Armando Villarroel, 29, of 4011 Ivystone Court, Charlotte, was charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, both felonies.
Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Villarroel of obtaining $14,377 from Progressive Premier Insurance Co. by misrepresenting the date of his automobile accident.
According to a criminal summons, Villarroel told the insurance company that the accident occurred on Oct. 19, 2022, when it actually occurred on Aug. 21, 2022, before the insurance policy was active.
Villarroel is scheduled to appear in Mecklenburg County District Court on Sept. 23.
Commissioner Causey encourages North Carolinians to help keep insurance premiums low by reporting suspicious fraud.
“Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime,” Commissioner Causey said. “It hits all of us in the pocket through higher premiums.”
If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may anonymously report fraud by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.
Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.