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Virginia man faces insurance fraud, related charges in Wake County

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A Virginia man, Matthew Stewart Edwards, has been arrested for insurance fraud in North Carolina. He is accused of trying to cheat Progressive Premier Insurance out of over $2,000 after a hit-and-run accident. Investigators found that the damage to his car was already there before he got the insurance policy, and the previous owner had already claimed for the same damage. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey urges people to report any suspicious activity to help keep insurance costs down. If you suspect fraud, you can report it anonymously by calling the North Carolina Department of Insurance at 919-807-6840 or toll-free at 888-680-7684.

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RALEIGH Jul 23, 2026 North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrests of Matthew Stewart Edwards, 35, of 10404 Morning Dew Lane, Mechanicsville, Virginia. Edwards was 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 Edwards of attempting to defraud Progressive Premier Insurance Co. of Illinois out of $2,010.33 following a hit-and-run crash on June 6 along Wake Forest Road in Raleigh. Investigators found that the damages to Edwards’ 2013 Volkswagen Passat were already present prior to obtaining a policy with a Rocky Mount post office box as his address. The previous owner of the vehicle had already filed an insurance claim for the exact same damage. Edwards surrendered to authorities at the Wake County Magistrates office. He was placed under a $10,000 secured bond. Commissioner Causey encourages North Carolinians to help keep insurance premiums low by reporting suspicious fraud. “Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime,” Commissioner Causey said. “It hits all of us in the pocket through higher premiums.” If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may anonymously report fraud by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov . Related Topics: NCDOI NC Department of Insurance Press Release Fraud Control/Investigations Investigations Press Release