A federal grand jury unsealed an indictment on Friday charging a Tampa woman with five counts of wire fraud, each with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe said that Katrenia Lynette Harris, 54, is suspected of scamming many victims out of approximately $50,000 in a scheme involving bogus auto insurance policies.
According to the indictment, Harris posed as an authorized insurance agent for a large auto insurance carrier and solicited victim-customers in the Middle District of Florida and beyond.
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She would impersonate her customers to obtain valid insurance policy documents, which she would then distribute to unsuspecting victims. The indictment alleges that clients paid Harris for their coverage primarily using the mobile payment service “Cash App.”
Prosecutors claim Harris never forwarded these funds to the insurance company. Instead, she retained the money, resulting in the termination of the policies due to nonpayment. According to the indictment, Harris then attempted to conceal the policy cancellations, leaving her victims driving without valid insurance.
In addition to potential prison time, the US Attorney’s Office is seeking a forfeiture order for at least $49,772.40, the known proceeds of the alleged fraud scheme.
Authorities have stated that law enforcement will directly notify recognized victims of their rights under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act. Individuals who feel they have been a victim of this alleged scheme but have not yet received notification are advised to visit the website provided by authorities to self-identify to law enforcement.
