NC Man Claimed Almost $300,000 in Travel Insurance Losses. Then He Was Arrested

July 11, 2025

Oscar Rafeal Ruiz was a busy man in 2023 and 2024, jetting to numerous places, losing his luggage multiple times and filing travel insurance claims of almost $300,000.

The problem, North Carolina authorities said, is that most of the claims were fraudulent, and hotel charges and luggage purchase receipts were fabricated. Ruiz, 44, of Charlotte, this month was charged with 52 felony counts related to false travel insurance claims, the North Carolina Department of Insurance reported.

Ruiz reportedly collected $22,240 on the claims and attempted to collect another $262,100 before insurers became suspicious and the man was investigated, DOI said in a bulletin this week. The false paperwork included forged credit card statements, bank statements, Amazon.com receipts, and claims that his flights had been cancelled and his luggage had been lost or stolen on multiple occasions.

Ruiz was arrested on July 8 by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and released on $260,000 secured bond. He appeared in Mecklenburg County District Court on July 9.

Topics Profit Loss North Carolina

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