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A group of five young individuals of Cuban descent was arrested this Thursday on charges of planning a vehicular accident to defraud insurance companies.
The incident occurred on Monday at the intersection of 38th Street and 87th Place in Southwest Miami, where the group staged a fake crash to file false claims with insurance companies, stating that another driver had ignored a stop sign.
However, the investigation revealed that the accident was premeditated as part of a scheme to exploit the personal injury protection system and unlawfully obtain economic benefits.
The individuals involved were identified as Sahimy Molina (31 years old), Talia González (23), José Braulio Acosta, Harold Vásquez (25), and Alexander Fransys Angulo (23).
Fraud against insurance companies is not a new phenomenon, but its significant increase in southern Florida has reached alarming levels.
These types of schemes range from fake accidents to medical clinics that report non-existent injuries in order to obtain compensation.
A few weeks ago, three more Cuban women were arrested for their connection to a clinic that provided that service.
Experts indicate that this type of crime not only affects insurance companies but also impacts consumers due to the rise in insurance premiums.
Miami-Dade and Broward are critical areas in the United States for this type of crime.
These areas, known for their beautiful beaches and enviable climate, also top the statistics for insurance fraud, becoming a hub of illicit activities that exploit the gaps in the system.
"If insurers are losing millions of dollars due to fraud, the only way to stay in business is by raising premiums," explained José Beaumont, an experienced insurance agent, in statements to Telemundo 51.
"It's part of living in paradise. Everything looks beautiful, but there's always someone trying to make easy money," he added.
Aware of the seriousness of the problem, the Miami-Dade Police Department has intensified its fight against these crimes by establishing a specialized unit.
"Our officers are trained to detect suspicious accidents," stated Argemis Colomé, spokesperson for the department, to the cited media outlet.
"When something doesn't add up, they call in the detectives, who conduct thorough interviews to unmask the false stories," he specified.
The joint effort has yielded significant results in recent weeks.
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