An experienced employee at a Miami car dealership has been identified as the mastermind of a sophisticated fraud scheme that funneled over a million dollars to her family.
Yuddy Mejías, the accused, spent more than 15 years climbing the ranks at Brickell Motors, also known as Murgado Automotive Group. She rose from a cafeteria worker to a critical position in the billing department.
In this trusted role, Mejías allegedly orchestrated the embezzlement that led to her arrest, along with her husband and son.
The Rise and Fall of Yuddy Mejías
Beginning her career at Brickell Motors around 2008, Mejías started in a modest role serving in the cafeteria. Over the years, she worked her way up to the accounting office, where she was responsible for handling customer refunds.
Her duties included issuing checks for customers with credit balances, such as those who overpaid or canceled purchases. This position allowed her to implement the alleged fraud scheme, which spanned from 2014 to 2024.
Investigations reveal that Mejías manipulated the dealership's accounting system to issue 486 fraudulent checks made out to her husband, Miguel González (54), and her son, Ángel González (28).
According to the Miami Police Department, the total amount diverted reached $1,047,188. The suspects' nationalities have not been disclosed.
How the Fraud Operated
Miami Police spokesperson Mike Vega explained that Mejías falsified records to make it appear that refunds were issued to legitimate customers, while the checks were actually directed to her family members.
“She would create a note indicating a refund of one, two, or three thousand dollars to me, but the check would go to her husband or son instead. They would cash the check and keep the money. This amounted to more than a million dollars,” Vega detailed.
The fraud was facilitated by her direct access to the accounting system and her understanding of internal processes. In addition to issuing checks, Mejías altered accounting entries to conceal the fraudulent transfers and avoid suspicion.
The Whistleblower and Its Aftermath
The scheme went undetected until August 2024, when a colleague from the accounting department anonymously reported suspicious activity to management. This prompted an internal investigation that soon uncovered irregular patterns in refund records.
The findings were handed over to the Miami police, who collected sufficient evidence to issue arrest warrants for the three involved.
Mejías, her husband, and her son were arrested last Monday and appeared in Miami-Dade criminal court.
Legal Charges and Bail Concerns
All three face charges of first-degree grand theft, organized fraud, and conspiracy to commit fraud. Additionally, Yuddy Mejías is charged with making false entries in corporate accounting books.
The judge has also ordered a hearing to determine whether the funds used to post bail are from legitimate sources. Currently, the trio remains detained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK), awaiting further legal proceedings.
Implications for the Auto Industry
This case has raised concerns among automotive industry leaders, highlighting how employees with access to financial systems can exploit internal processes to commit large-scale fraud.
Brickell Motors, located at 665 SW Eighth Street in the heart of Little Havana, is a well-known dealership in Miami. The company has cooperated with authorities but has not issued a public statement.
It remains unclear whether the dealership will recover the stolen funds or how many vehicles were indirectly involved in the fraudulent refund scheme.
The Miami-Dade County Prosecutor's Office continues to gather evidence to support the charges, with key hearings pending to determine if the accused will face trial while out on bail.
Understanding the Miami Auto Dealership Fraud Case
What role did Yuddy Mejías play in the fraud scheme?
Yuddy Mejías is accused of orchestrating the scheme by manipulating the dealership's accounting system to issue fraudulent checks to her family members.
How long did the fraudulent activities last?
The fraudulent activities reportedly took place over a decade, from 2014 to 2024.
What charges are the accused facing?
The accused face charges of first-degree grand theft, organized fraud, and conspiracy to commit fraud. Yuddy Mejías faces an additional charge for making false accounting entries.
Has the dealership responded publicly to the fraud case?
Brickell Motors has cooperated with the authorities but has not made a public statement regarding the case.