Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Katrenia Lynette Harris (54, Tampa) with five counts of wire fraud. Each count is punishable by a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment. The indictment also notifies Harris that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture for not less than $49,772.40, the presently known proceeds of her fraud scheme.

According to the indictment, Harris fraudulently held herself out to individuals within the Middle District of Florida and elsewhere as an authorized insurance agent for a major automobile insurance carrier. Harris would, upon receiving a request for insurance from a victim-customer, impersonate the victim in order to obtain insurance policy documents. Victim-customers would pay Harris through various means, including primarily through “Cash App”, a mobile-phone based person-to-person money transfer service.

Harris would then forward the fraudulently obtained insurance documents to the victim-customer, however, she purposely failed to remit the victim’s payments to the insurance company, resulting in these insurance policies being cancelled for non-payment. Harris then attempted to conceal the policy cancellation from her victim-customers, resulting in multiple victims operating motor vehicles in Florida and elsewhere without valid automobile insurance.

Victims identified by law enforcement will directly receive notice of their rights pursuant to the Crime Victims’ Rights Act. If you believe you are a victim and have not otherwise received notice, please visit the website listed below for more information on how to self-identify yourself to law enforcement.

Website: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/katrenia_harris 

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the Florida Department of Financial Services – Bureau of Insurance Fraud. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Duso.