Des Moines, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau report, 68-year-old Alan Steven Kessler, of West Des Moines, was recently charged with one count of Theft in the First Degree Against an Older Individual (Class B Felony), one count of Ongoing Criminal Conduct (Class B Felony), and one count of Securities Fraud (Class C Felony) following an investigation by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and the Iowa Insurance Division’s Securities Bureau. The charges against Kessler stem from an investigation which began in April of 2022.  According to a criminal complaint filed by the Dallas County Attorney’s Office, Kessler allegedly had an ongoing scheme to steal from and defraud an elderly individual.

Alan S. Kessler (Photo Courtesy of Dallas County Sheriff’s Office)

Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen said “This case is working its way through the legal system, but it’s possible that there may be more victims out there. I encourage anyone that may have been defrauded by Mr. Kessler to come forward and contact our offices immediately.” Attorney General Tom Miller says “This is one of the first charges filed under Iowa’s new criminal elder abuse law, which went into effect July 1. We’ve been advocating for the legislation for years to address abuses like these.” Miller encouraged Iowans to report other alleged instances of fraud by Kessler to the Consumer Protection Division at consumer@ag.iowa.gov or 888-777-4590.

On October 2, 2022, Kessler was arrested and booked into the Dallas County Jail.  Kessler posted a $25,000 bond and was released.

In a separate case, 47-year-old Sang Nguyen, of Des Moines, pled guilty on October 4, 2022, to one count of Insurance Fraud – Application Submission (Class D Felony) following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.  The investigation began in June of 2022 after the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau received information indicating Nguyen had provided false information to an insurer when purchasing full coverage automobile insurance.

The investigation determined that after Nguyen’s motorcycle was involved in a single vehicle collision and sustained over $3,000 in damage he contacted an insurer to purchase auto insurance coverage.  During the purchase Nguyen provided false information about the existing damage to his motorcycle and was granted full coverage automotive insurance.  Days later, Nguyen filed an insurance claim alleging that the pre-existing damage occurred after he obtained the insurance coverage.  Nguyen’s intent was to receive insurance benefits to which he was not entitled.  Nguyen was arrested on July 20, 2022.

Sang Nguyen (Photo courtesy of the Polk County Jail)

Following his guilty plea, Nguyen received a five year suspended prison sentence and was placed on supervised probation for two years.  Nguyen was also ordered to pay a fine of $1,025.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.