Insurance Commissioner Jim Long announced Monday the arrest of Milagros Cuevas Dross, 52, of 206 Wyndham Dr., Garner. She was arrested by Department of Insurance investigators Saturday and charged with one count of obtaining property by false pretense. She was processed at the Wake County Detention Center placed under a $10,000 secured bond.

Department investigators allege the following:

Federico Hernandez Sauceda's brother was arrested on unrelated charges and placed under an Immigration and Naturalization Services detainer; both Sauceda and the Chatham County Detention Center explained to Dross that Sauceda's brother was being held under an INS detainer. Dross, a licensed bail bondsman, convinced Sauceda that his brother could be released from INS custody in exchange for Sauceda providing her with a $4,000 cash bond. Dross knew that the release was not possible, yet took the family's money and would not refund the bond.

Dross is scheduled to appear in Wake County Court Monday.

The Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating claims of insurance fraud. In 2007, these investigators saw more than 525 cases successfully closed with more than $14.5 million in restitution and recoveries, 53 criminal convictions and 109 arrests.

To report suspected fraud, contact the Department of Insurance Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available here.