Home / Crime and Justice / North Carolina Man Charged in $495,904 Duke Energy Fraud Scheme
North Carolina Man Charged in $495,904 Duke Energy Fraud Scheme
15 Oct
Summary
- Duke Energy reported fraud to Wake County Sheriff's Office in July 2025
- $495,904.62 stolen from customer accounts without their knowledge
- 36-year-old Rafael Stefan Williams arrested and charged with multiple felonies
On July 2025, Duke Energy, one of the largest energy providers in the United States, contacted the Wake County Sheriff's Office regarding a concerning fraud case. An investigation revealed that several customer accounts, both of living and deceased individuals, had been opened without their knowledge, resulting in a total loss of $495,904.62 for the energy company.
After an extensive probe, 36-year-old Rafael Stefan Williams was arrested and charged with a slew of felonies, including four counts of obtaining property by false pretense valued at $100,000 or more, one count of obtaining property by false pretense, five counts of financial transaction fraud, five counts of accessing computers, and 19 counts of identity theft. Williams is currently being held at the Wake County Detention Center.
In a statement, Duke Energy assured customers that the issue affects a relatively small number of accounts, all of which have been identified and are being notified directly. The company continues to cooperate with the ongoing investigation led by the Wake County Sheriff's Office.
