Rafael Stefan Williams, 36, from Wake County, was arrested for allegedly defrauding Duke Energy of about $495,904 by using the identities of living and deceased people to set up accounts. The Wake County Sheriff's Office said the investigation started in July after a tip from the energy company.
Williams faces charges including four counts of obtaining property by false pretense over $100,000, as well as financial transaction fraud, computer access violations, and identity theft. He was arrested on October 14 and is in the Wake County Detention Center while the investigation continues, as reported by the Wake County Sheriff's Office.
According to the Wake County Sheriff's Office on their Facebook page, Duke Energy and law enforcement worked together to arrest a person involved in utility fraud. The suspect used the identities of living and deceased individuals to commit the scams. Victims had to spend time correcting credit reports and securing personal information. The case shows the ongoing risk of digital fraud for both companies and individuals.
