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The Miami-Dade County Tax Collector's Office detected and halted a cheating scheme during the theoretical exam for obtaining a Florida driver's license, in which those involved used hidden microphones, cameras disguised as buttons, and recording equipment to receive unauthorized external assistance.
Dariel Fernández, tax collector of Miami-Dade, confirmed the incident last Sunday through his X account, calling it an "important message" for the community.
He did not specify how many people were involved, but he was very clear in his assessment: "Their actions were deliberate, dishonest, and a direct attack on the integrity of Florida's driver's license issuance process."
According to Fernández, the office staff was able to identify the devices thanks to their training and quick response, which allowed them to halt the fraud attempts immediately.
The images released by the office itself show the confiscated devices: wires hidden under clothing, small black devices sewn into garments, and what appears to be a camera disguised as a shirt button, all within the context of an examination room clearly marked to prohibit the use of phones and microphones.
"The driver's license is not a right. It is a privilege that must be earned with honesty and responsibility," wrote Fernández, who also warned that "fraud will not be tolerated in any Miami-Dade tax collector's office or in any third-party authorized testing center," referring to driving schools.
The consequences for those who attempt to cheat are severe: denial, suspension, or permanent loss of eligibility for obtaining a Florida driver's license or a state identification card, in addition to being reported to the appropriate authorities.
This case is not the first to shake up the licensing system in Miami-Dade.
In April, an employee from the same office of the tax collector, identified as Waldersee Oge, was arrested on charges of issuing temporary driver's licenses and renewing expired licenses in exchange for payments via Zelle, without the clients being physically present.
Oge faced six charges, including misconduct as a public official, illegal issuance of licenses, and forgery of public records.
In February, the so-called "Ghost Writer Operation" led to 22 arrests in Miami-Dade for fraud in vehicle transactions and manipulation of official records.
The context also includes a policy change that has generated tension in the immigrant community: starting February 6, all driving license exams in Florida will be administered exclusively in English, eliminating access to tests in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and other languages.
Experts warn that this barrier could push those who do not speak English to seek licenses through irregular means.
Fernández concluded his message with a clear warning: "Driver's licenses are earned, not bought."
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