Related videos:
Several Cubans were arrested for their alleged involvement in a scheme that faked car accidents to commit insurance fraud in Miami-Dade, according to authorities.
The Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office (MDSO) arrested six individuals as part of the Operation Crash and Cash, an investigation that began last November after an insurance company alerted about a supposed staged accident on Krome Avenue, north of Southwest 8th Street.
After a thorough investigation, detectives discovered that those involved in the traffic incident had signed blank therapy forms, which were later submitted to insurance companies to fraudulently claim treatment, the MDSO stated in a press release.
This initial finding led to the arrest of two individuals on February 24: Enrique Brioso Cribes, 35 years old, and his wife, Mary Brioso, 53.
In the progress of the investigation, authorities identified new suspects involved in the fraudulent scheme, some connected to a medical clinic and others to an auto body and painting shop.
On Wednesday, June 11, detectives from the MDSO simultaneously executed multiple search warrants and arrested four more individuals connected to the operation.
They are Armando Baloy Mesa Lazaga, 56 years old; his brother Elvis Manuel Mesa Lazaga, 60; Sergio Fernández Alfonso, 40, and Rolando Romero, 38.
According to the arrest reports cited by Telemundo 51, the Brioso couple claimed to have been involved in a collision with a deer, but the investigation found that the damage to the car was inconsistent with a collision against an animal.
The detectives discovered that, five days after the accident, both met with Armando Mesa Lazaga at his vehicle repair shop, located at 10700 Southwest 190th Street, where additional damage was inflicted on the car.
Mesa Lazaga himself -according to authorities- took the couple to see Fernández Alfonso, a therapist and owner of a clinic, and the therapist Romero, who urged them to sign blank therapy forms, which were subsequently submitted in a claim for payment to an insurance company.
According to the agents, Fernández Alfonso submitted treatment forms totaling $37,050, reported the news channel Local 10 News.
All those arrested face multiple charges of felonies. Brioso Cribes and Brioso are accused of insurance fraud, grand theft, organized scheme to defraud, and fraudulent insurance claims.
Armando Mesa Lazaga was also charged with fraudulent insurance claims, an organized scheme to defraud, and grand theft; however, the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office specified that additional charges were added, which include extortion; operating, possessing, aiding, and instigating a chop shop; possession of a forged vehicle identification number (VIN) and VIN plate removed from a vehicle.
Meanwhile, his brother Elvis and Fernández Alonso will have to respond to accusations of extortion, conspiracy to extort, as well as claims of fraudulent insurance and organized fraud.
In Romero's case, he is charged with extortion, fraudulent insurance claims, grand theft, and conspiracy to extort, according to the official communication from the MDSO.
The Sheriff's Office stated that Operation Crash and Cash remains an active investigation and is just the beginning of a broader offensive to dismantle networks of insurance fraud in Miami-Dade County.
Frequently Asked Questions about Insurance Fraud in Miami-Dade
What is the Crash and Cash Operation in Miami-Dade?
The Crash and Cash Operation is an investigation carried out by the Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office to dismantle a network that staged car accidents to commit insurance fraud. This operation has led to the arrest of several individuals involved in these types of crimes, including the submission of fraudulent claims to insurers.
How did the insurance fraud network operate in Miami-Dade?
The criminal network staged car accidents and then submitted fraudulent claims to insurance companies. Those involved also signed blank therapy forms, which were used to claim non-existent medical treatments, thereby inflating costs for the insurers.
What impact does insurance fraud have in Miami-Dade?
Insurance fraud increases premiums for all policyholders, as insurance companies must offset the financial losses incurred due to these frauds. Additionally, it undermines trust in the insurance system and in the medical institutions involved.
What actions are the authorities taking to combat insurance fraud in Florida?
The authorities in Miami-Dade have intensified their efforts against insurance fraud by implementing pilot programs to detect fraudulent collisions. They have created specialized units to investigate these crimes and have made multiple arrests as part of a broader offensive to dismantle scam networks in the county.
Filed under: