A South Carolina man allegedly filed 120 false medical claims seeking more than $120,000, then used a fabricated doctor’s note in a separate attempt to collect another $20,000 from travel insurance.
Jacob Nathaniel Lockhart, 38, is accused of altering medical bills, claiming appointments that never happened, inflating therapy expenses and submitting dozens of fabricated bills over nearly three years.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division charged him with four counts of presenting false insurance claims. Authorities have not publicly stated how much, if any, the insurers paid.
The First 40 Claims Sought More Than $20,000
Lockhart allegedly began submitting false claims to Aetna in July 2022, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Between July 2022 and January 2023, investigators said he filed 10 claims seeking approximately $6,000.
The submissions allegedly included altered bills and requests for reimbursement for medical visits that had not occurred. During January 2023, Lockhart allegedly filed another 30 Aetna claims seeking more than $14,000. Those submissions reportedly overstated therapy costs and included sessions that investigators said had never taken place.
Another 80 Claims Included 68 Fabricated Bills
The alleged activity continued on a larger scale between January 2024 and April 2025. Investigators said Lockhart submitted 80 additional claims to Aetna seeking more than $100,000. The 68 bills were part of the group of 80 claims.
SLED did not provide the value of each individual claim, identify the medical providers whose information appeared on the bills or state whether any provider participated in the alleged activity.
Investigators also identified a claim submitted under a travel-insurance policy in May 2025. Lockhart allegedly created a fictitious doctor’s note and presented it to an insurance company while seeking $20,000 in coverage.
The Four Charges Carry Different Maximum Penalties
SLED charged Lockhart with three counts of presenting a false insurance claim valued at $10,000 or more and one count involving an amount greater than $2,000 but below $10,000.
Under South Carolina law, a conviction for presenting a false claim valued at $10,000 or more can carry up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. A claim valued between $2,000 and $10,000 can carry up to five years in prison.
The South Carolina Department of Insurance requested the SLED investigation and will prosecute the case. Lockhart was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
Suspect Health Care Fraud? Here is Who to Call
Aetna identifies billing for services that were never provided and knowingly altering claim forms, medical records or receipts to obtain a larger payment as examples of health care fraud.
The insurer advises members who see suspicious activity on a plan statement to call the number printed on their member identification card. Reports can also be made to Aetna’s fraud hotline at 1-800-338-6361.
Suspected insurance fraud in South Carolina can also be reported through the Department of Insurance Fraud Division, by emailing FraudDivision@doi.sc.gov or by calling 1-888-953-7283.