Aberdeen woman accused of staging U-Haul accident for insurance payout

An Aberdeen woman and a Sanford man have been arrested and accused of staging a wreck to collect money from an insurance company.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey Wednesday announced in a press release the arrest of Yushawn Johnson, 24, and Elizabeth McCall, 24, of Tinderbox Court in Aberdeen. Both were 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 the two of attempting to obtain an insurance claim payment from Repwest Insurance Co. by claiming that Johnson was injured and his 2008 gray Infiniti G37 coupe was damaged in an accident with a U-Haul truck driven by McCall. The damage to Johnson’s car was preexisting and the accident was staged, according to the criminal summons.

The offenses occurred on July 10, 2019.

Both were served with criminal summonses and are due in Lee County District Court on May 26.

“Insurance fraud is a crime affecting everyone,” Commissioner Causey said. “Approximately 20% of insurance premium costs go to pay for insurance fraud.”

Since 2017, Commissioner Causey has more than doubled the number of special agents investigating fraud and white-collar crimes. As a result, special agents from 2017 through 2020 have made 1,612 arrests.

To report suspected fraud, contact the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.

 

Photo of Elizabeth McCall via Sanford Herald.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email