Wake County deputies say a months-long fraud investigation into Duke Energy accounts has led to the arrest of a Raleigh woman they believe is tied to nearly $500,000 in losses for the utility.
Investigators with the Wake County Sheriff's Office booked 29-year-old Shaniyah R. Dove on felony identity-theft and conspiracy charges, describing her arrest as the latest step in a still-unfolding case. Authorities say the probe traces back to last summer, when Duke Energy flagged suspicious activity on multiple customer accounts and alerted law enforcement.
The Wake County Sheriff's Office publicly announced Dove's arrest, according to CBS17. The outlet reports that Dove faces three counts of felony identity theft and one count of felony conspiracy, and that investigators say the case remains active.
How Deputies Say The Scheme Ran Up The Bill
According to investigators, the case formally opened in July 2025 after a Duke Energy representative contacted the Wake County Sheriff's Office about accounts that appeared to have been opened using the names of both living and deceased customers, with fraudulent activity ultimately totaling $495,904.62, as reported by ABC11.
Deputies allege suspects created bogus online payments and used multiple transaction cards to disguise how money moved between accounts. The sheriff's office says detectives have been tracking those financial trails and have identified individuals who may have helped open or exploit the fraudulent accounts.
Earlier Arrest In October Tied To The Case
The investigation had already produced one major arrest before Dove was taken into custody. In October 2025, deputies arrested 36-year-old Rafael Stefan Williams on a slate of charges that include obtaining property by false pretense, several counts of financial transaction fraud, accessing computers and 19 counts of identity theft, according to WRAL.
Court documents cited by the outlet allege that Williams used phones, tablets and more than 20 separate transaction cards to generate fake payments and shift money between accounts. At his arraignment, a judge cautioned that a conviction on all counts could add up to decades in prison.
Second Suspect Picked Up In December
Two months after Williams' arrest, deputies announced they had taken a second suspect into custody. In December 2025, 39-year-old Dazmyn Person was arrested and charged with exploitation of an older or disabled adult, multiple counts of identity theft, felony conspiracy and trafficking stolen identities, authorities told ABC11.
"The months-long investigative work by WCSO investigators demonstrates our commitment and determination to resolve this case and ensure those responsible are held accountable," Sheriff Willie Rowe said in a statement quoted by the outlet.
What Duke Energy Says It Is Doing
Duke Energy says it has been working closely with investigators and has contacted property owners tied to the suspicious accounts. The utility recently announced new AI-driven tools designed to detect scams on websites and social media platforms, according to a company release.
The company urges customers to double-check any unexpected payment request by calling the phone number printed on their bill and to report any suspicious outreach immediately. Duke Energy also says it is directly notifying account holders whose information appears to have been affected.
What Comes Next In The Fraud Probe
The Wake County Sheriff's Office says the investigation is ongoing and that more arrests or additional charges could follow as detectives continue to chase leads, according to reporting by WRAL.
For now, court records and upcoming hearings are expected to shed further light on the allegations, the precise role each defendant is accused of playing and when they will next appear before a judge.
