Miami-Dade County is cracking down on insurance fraud, with the Sheriff's Office announcing the arrest of six individuals involved in a staged car crash scheme. The operation, dubbed 'Operation Crash and Cash,' is the first of many planned to target insurance fraud in the area, authorities said.
Staged Collision Led to Investigation
The investigation began with a staged collision that occurred last November at the intersection of Krome Avenue and Southwest Eighth Street. According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, brothers Armando and Elvis Mesa-Lasaga orchestrated the crash and recruited Enrique and Mary Brioso to pose as victims in the second vehicle.
Intentional Damage and Fake Claims
Arrest affidavits reveal the Mesa-Lasaga brothers intentionally damaged the vehicles before the staged collision. After the crash, Armando Mesa-Lasaga allegedly took Brioso to his auto repair shop on Southwest 190th Street, where he inflicted further damage. Public Information Officer Angel Rodriguez stated, 'They all knew each other. They were in partnership with each other.'
Investigators further discovered that the Briosos were introduced to staff at SafeCare Therapy Inc., identified as Rolando Romero and Sergio Fernandez-Alfonso. The couple reportedly visited the clinic only once, signed blank therapy forms, and left. These forms were then allegedly filled out to create fraudulent claims.
$37,050 in Fraudulent Claims
The fraudulent claim submitted to the insurance company totaled $37,050. The insurance company flagged the suspicious activity, prompting them to contact the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, which led to the arrests.
'These fraudulent claims result in insurance policies and premiums going up. It also affects different services provided to the community because their rates will also go up,' Rodriguez explained. All six individuals are now facing charges related to insurance fraud.