Alleged Insurance Fraud Ring Busted in Miami-Dade: Multiple Cuban Nationals Arrested

A group of Cuban nationals has been apprehended for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to stage car accidents and defraud insurance companies in Miami-Dade County, as reported by local authorities. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO) detained six individuals as part of "Operation Crash and Cash," an investigation launched last November after an insurance company reported a suspected staged accident on Krome Avenue, just north of Southwest 8th Street.

The investigation revealed that those involved in the fraudulent activity had signed blank therapy forms, which were later submitted to insurance firms to falsely claim treatments, according to a statement released by the MDSO. This initial discovery led to the arrests of two individuals on February 24: Enrique Brioso Cribes, 35, and his wife, Mary Brioso, 53.

As the inquiry progressed, authorities identified additional suspects linked to the fraudulent network, with connections to both a medical clinic and an auto body shop. On Wednesday, June 11, MDSO detectives executed simultaneous search warrants and arrested four more individuals associated with the scam. These individuals are Armando Baloy Mesa Lazaga, 56; his brother, Elvis Manuel Mesa Lazaga, 60; Sergio Fernández Alfonso, 40; and Rolando Romero, 38.

According to arrest records cited by Telemundo 51, the Briosos claimed involvement in a collision with a deer, but the investigation revealed inconsistencies between the vehicle damage and an animal impact. Detectives found that five days post-accident, the couple met with Armando Mesa Lazaga at his auto repair shop on Southwest 190th Street, where further damage was inflicted on the vehicle.

Mesa Lazaga, as stated by authorities, took the couple to meet Fernández Alfonso, a therapist and clinic owner, along with therapist Romero. They allegedly encouraged the Briosos to sign blank therapy forms, which were later used to submit a fraudulent insurance claim. Reports indicate that Fernández Alfonso filed treatment forms totaling $37,050, according to Local 10 News.

All individuals arrested face a slew of felony charges. Brioso Cribes and his wife face charges of insurance fraud, grand theft, organized scheme to defraud, and fraudulent insurance claims. Armando Mesa Lazaga also faces charges of fraudulent insurance claims, organized scheme to defraud, and grand theft, with additional charges including extortion, operating a chop shop, possession of a falsified vehicle identification number (VIN), and removal of a VIN from a vehicle.

Meanwhile, his brother Elvis and Fernández Alonso are charged with extortion, conspiracy to extort, as well as fraudulent insurance claims and organized fraud. Romero faces charges of extortion, fraudulent insurance claims, grand theft, and conspiracy to extort, as noted in the MDSO's official communication.

The Sheriff's Office emphasized that Operation Crash and Cash is an ongoing investigation and marks just the beginning of a broader crackdown on insurance fraud networks throughout Miami-Dade County.