Insurance fraud investigation leads to arrest in Georgia

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced the arrest of Deamarkis Barber, a 33-year-old resident of Stockbridge, Georgia. The arrest concludes a multi-year investigation into an insurance fraud scheme orchestrated by Barber.

In 2021, investigators from the Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire (OCI) discovered that Barber had established a fraudulent insurance company named 'Dirt-Cheap Insurance.' This company was used to sell illegitimate insurance policies to unsuspecting consumers. Barber approached automobile dealerships with business cards and offered $50 for customer referrals. Consumers were misled into paying monthly premiums via money transfer services like Cash App and received forged policy documents in return.

Barber conducted similar scams using two other aliases, All-Citi Insurance and Policy Pro. These schemes resulted in over $100,000 being stolen from consumers since 2021.

“By selling these fraudulent policies, Mr. Barber placed every driver on Georgia’s roadways at risk,” said Commissioner King. “I am extremely proud of our investigators for their tireless efforts to bring the suspect to justice and protect hardworking Georgia families. Consumers should use this opportunity to learn more on how to protect themselves from becoming victim to these kinds of deceptive practices.”

The Office provides several tips for consumers to avoid such scams:

- Review your insurance policy for grammatical errors or discrepancies.

- Avoid using third-party money transfer services for payments.

- Verify the licensing of individuals or companies selling insurance in Georgia using the online lookup tool.

- Obtain multiple quotes; be cautious if one is substantially lower than others.

- Contact the Consumer Services team at 1-800-656-2298 if in doubt.

Barber was arrested on November 15 by the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office and faces multiple charges including insurance fraud, forgery, and theft by deception across nine Georgia counties. He remains in custody.

The mission of the Office Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire is to protect Georgia families by providing access to vital insurance products and safe buildings through fair regulation that creates economic opportunities for all Georgians.