Arizona Licensed Insurance Agent Charged with Scheme to Defraud Elderly Clients

On March 2, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment against Victoria Totten, 71, of Green Valley, Arizona, for Mail Fraud.

The indictment alleges that Totten, while working as a licensed insurance agent, defrauded various elderly clients out of approximately $114,000. It asserts that Totten fraudulently represented and advised prospective clients to pay insurance premiums in advance and directly to her company instead of making payments to the insurance companies. Totten falsely represented the actual terms of the premium payment structure offered by the insurance companies, and claimed that payment should be made in advance to lock in a lower rate. After receiving the fraudulently obtained funds, instead of transmitting the victims’ premium payments directly to the insurance companies, Totten misused large portions of the victims’ funds for her own personal use and to pay insurance premiums for her other clients.

A conviction for Mail Fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. If convicted, a restitution judgment will be imposed against the defendant for any losses sustained by the victims.