RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A Wake County man, identified as 36-year-old Rafael Stefan Williams, has been arrested in connection with a major Duke Energy fraud case that resulted in nearly $500,000 in losses for the company.
In July 2025, a Duke Energy representative contacted the Wake County Sheriff’s Office after discovering multiple fraudulent accounts opened in the names of both living and deceased customers. The scheme caused $495,904.62 in financial damage to the energy provider.
Following a detailed investigation, Williams was charged with:
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 unauthorized computer access
Nineteen counts of identity theft
Williams is currently being held at the Wake County Detention Center.
In a statement to ABC11 Eyewitness News, Duke Energy said it continues to assist law enforcement in the ongoing investigation. The company is contacting affected property owners and updating impacted accounts. Duke Energy also reminded customers to verify the authenticity of any calls or solicitations claiming to represent the utility directly.
Duke Energy, one of the nation’s largest energy companies, serves millions of customers across North Carolina and several other states. The investigation into the fraud remains ongoing.
