USA - North Carolina man accused of $5M crop insurance fraud scheme

02.05.2018 714 views
Federal prosecutors have accused a North Carolina man of stealing more than $5 million in federal crop insurance funds over a four-year period. U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon Jr. said in a news release multiple charges are filed against 43-year-old James Scott Wiggins of Wayne County, including making false statements to federal agencies and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Officials said Wiggins and his co-conspirators owned and rented farmland in Lenoir, Wayne, and Greene counties. Higdon said that between 2007 and 2011, the conspirators collectively filed false crop insurance and federal crop disaster relief claims, manipulated transactions to evade reporting requirements and engaged in various financial transactions to conceal the fraud. According to Higdon, the conspirators paid farming expenses and outstanding loan balances with the money secured through the fraud. Source - https://www.insurancejournal.com
09.09.2026

Philippines - 5K farmers in Laoag to receive crop insurance from city gov't

More than 5,000 farmers and fisherfolk in this city will get added protection from the effects of adverse weather conditions through crop insurance, strengthening the safety net for agricultural producers whose livelihoods remain vulnerable to typhoons, drought, floods, and other natural hazards.

09.09.2026

USA - University of Idaho lands $6 million to help farmers cut crop loss

The University of Idaho received part of a $6 million grant to study a specific crop problem that can cost farmers part of their harvest each year: stalk lodging. 

09.09.2026

USA - Hurricane Lowell leaves Kauai farm racing to save shrimp, assess crop damage

Hurricane Lowell knocked out power to Kauai Alum Farms, leaving the company racing to keep about 20 out of their 40 shrimp ponds operating while assessing widespread damage across its agricultural fields.

09.09.2026

NAIC’s recapitalisation failure puts Nigeria’s farm insurance at risk

For millions of Nigerian farmers, insurance is the thin line between a bad season and financial ruin. A flood can erase a year’s harvest overnight; disease can wipe out livestock; drought can turn costly inputs into unrecoverable losses.

09.09.2026

USA - Tariffs squeeze Ohio farmers as rising costs deepen a crisis across agriculture

Ohio farmers are being squeezed by tariffs, higher input costs and foreign competition, raising concerns over cash flow, investment and farm profitability.

09.09.2026

USA - Stormy summer leading to crop insurance reminders ahead of harvest

The crop claims manager with COUNTRY Financial says harvest season is one of the most important times of year for farmers to communicate with their crop insurance agent.

08.09.2026

High-value crop losses reach US$24 million after Philippine storms

The Philippine agricultural sector has recorded damage and losses following the enhanced Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, Neneng, and Pilandok, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

08.09.2026

France Recognizes 2026 Drought Crop Losses in 18 Departments

The fast-tracked decision lets uninsured farmers file compensation claims within days, with first payments expected in October.