9 Investigates

Man accused of stealing more than $100K from elderly women in insurance-fraud scheme

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A licensed insurance agent in Orange County is accused of taking more than $100,000 from two elderly women in a fraud scheme.

Venodh Ragbuhir, 40, was booked into the Orange County Jail in February on charges of stealing $3,000 from his client, 66-year-old Dalmey Napier. Authorities said he then stole her identity to sign her up for policies so he could get the commissions.

Raghubir appeared before a judge Friday on two additional felony charges, increasing the theft amount to more than $100,000.

"Yes. I paid him cash. I paid him cash. I trusted him. I believed in him and I trusted him," said Napier.

Raghubir’s license has been temporarily suspended, and the State Division of Insurance Fraud found out he has at least two more elderly victims.

The State Division of Insurance Fraud said Raghubir met the victims when he was working as an agent at an Amerilife office in Winter Park.

Officials said Raghubir persuaded an 84-year-old client to write several checks made out to him, totaling more than $40,000 for what she thought was a life insurance policy.
Insurance-fraud investigators said Raghubir did the same thing to a 75-year-old woman to the tune of $70,000 for "an investment opportunity in oil annuities."
Investigators said Raghubir never provided either woman with any investment documentation.
“I think it's terrible. I think this man should be put away because he's preying on the old people," Napier said.
Ragbuhir told investigators he gave the money to an unnamed friend in New York to invest and he told the women in advance there would be no paperwork for the investment.

Cox Media Group

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