California Insurance Agent Arraigned in Alleged Affinity Group Discounts Scheme

Raffi Sarian, 32, of North Hollywood, California, was arraigned this week on four felony counts of identity theft and nine felony counts of forgery after allegedly altering information from professional licenses and diplomas to apply unearned “affinity group” discounts to his clients’ policies likely in an attempt to gain unearned commissions.

An affinity group is any organization or group formed around a common interest or for a specified purpose, including businesses, clubs, or other groups that exist for a common purpose.

An investigation by the California Department of Insurance reportedly found between 2015 to 2020, to apply unearned affinity group discounts to his clients’ insurance policies, Sarian collected, forged, and altered professional licenses issued by the California Board of Accountancy, the California Board of Registered Nursing, and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

He also allegedly collected, forged, and altered diplomas issued by several California State Universities. Sarian did both of these illegal actions without his clients’ knowledge or permission, which resulted in a financial loss of $17,000, according to the CDI.

Sarian reportedly altered the names and personal information on the professional documents to reflect his clients’ information. Afterwards, he allegedly uploaded the forged documents to the insurance company. In an attempt to cover up the identity theft and forgery of the documents, Sarian reportedly claimed to either have no knowledge of how he came into possession of the altered documents or argued his clients had altered the documents before providing them to him.

The CDI reports it will be taking action against Sarian’s license.

The case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Topics California Agencies