Wake County woman charged with fraud in travel insurance claim

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Shweta Surana, 49, 907 Dominion Hill Drive, Cary. Surana 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 Surana of attempting to obtain $1,000 from Amex Assurance Co. by providing a counterfeit letter supporting a travel insurance claim.

According to the arrest warrant, the letter, dated Sept. 11, said that her husband could not travel because of a foot injury. However, the letter was actually issued on May 23, 2022, by an orthopedic doctor who currently practices in New Jersey and has not been in North Carolina for two years, the arrest warrant said.

Surana was arrested on Dec. 11 by Wake County deputies. She was released on $3,000 unsecured bond and was scheduled to appear in Wake County District Court on Dec. 12.

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.