According to Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Chillemi, Anneesh Robinson, 32, of Newark; Hassonah Higgins, 28, of Newark; Zyanya Wright, 28, of Newark; and Crystie Anthony, 36, of Paterson, were charged with conspiracy, theft by deception and attempted theft by deception, all in the third-degree. Robinson and Wright were also charged with third-degree uttering a forged instrument.

The indictment alleges that between Nov. 30 and Dec. 14, 2010, Anthony fraudulently created 13 checks using High Point Insurance Company’s routing number and checking account number. Four of the checks were allegedly imprinted with the name Anneesh Robinson, and nine of the checks were allegedly imprinted with the name Zyanya Wright.

As a result of the alleged fraud, the defendants obtained or attempted to obtain over $4,500 worth of merchandise drawn on the High Point Insurance Company’s checking account, knowing that the checks were counterfeit. The indictment also alleges that the defendants fraudulently obtained, or attempted to obtain, merchandise from Toys “R” Us, Best Buy, Walmart and Modell’s Sporting Goods, using counterfeit checks, all drawn on High Point’s checking account. It is further alleged that Wright and Anthony fraudulently obtained, or attempted to obtain, merchandise from the store 6th Avenue Electronics.

Detective Terrence Buie and Deputy Attorney General Joan M. Burke were assigned to the investigation. Burke presented the case to the state grand jury. Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Ronald Chillemi thanked High Point Insurance for referring the matter to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor and for its assistance in the investigation.

The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $15,000.

October is Insurance Fraud Awareness Month in New Jersey. People who are concerned about insurance cheating and have information about a fraud can report it anonymously by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-877-55-FRAUD, or visiting the Web site at www.NJInsurancefraud.org. State regulations permit a reward to be paid to an eligible person who provides information that leads to an arrest, prosecution and conviction for insurance fraud.