Washington Woman Wanted After Failing to Appear in Court for Insurance Fraud Charges

A Federal Way, Washington, woman is on Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s insurance fraud most wanted list after she failed to appear at her arraignment.

Yelena Gruy faces a felony charge for filing a false insurance claim. A warrant was issued for her arrest on Oct. 17 after an investigation by Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit and charges filed by the King County Prosecutor’s Office.

According to the investigation, Gruy caused a three-car collision on southbound Interstate 5 near the South Center Mall. She had started a policy with Progressive for her 2016 Land Rover on Dec. 16, 2022, and filed a claim 10 days later, claiming she’d been in an accident 30 minutes after she started the policy.

Progressive’s investigation reportedly revealed the collision occurred an hour before Gruy purchased insurance. Her claim for $7,773 was denied for fraud and misrepresentation and she was referred to CIU.

People with information that may lead to Gruy’s arrest can contact their local law enforcement agency or contact Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU).

CIU investigates insurance fraud and works with allied law enforcement agencies and state and local prosecutors on criminal cases.