Doral, Florida — Five people have been arrested and two others remain at large following an investigation into alleged insurance licensing exam fraud in Miami-Dade County, according to arrest reports and court records.
The Florida Department of Financial Services’ criminal investigations division investigated the alleged scheme, which authorities say operated out of an office at 8300 NW 53rd Street in Doral. Investigators relied on WhatsApp messages, Zelle transactions and other evidence, with assistance from a cooperating witness, to build cases against the suspects.
The arrests took place early Wednesday morning. The five people taken into custody were identified as Alejandro Mollinedo, Angel Contreras, Adriana Gil, Yohana Fernandez and Iyad Lamaa.
How the Alleged Insurance Exam Fraud Worked
According to an investigator’s account cited in the arrest reports, a cooperating witness described a method in which an applicant remained visible to an online exam proctor while another person stayed outside the camera’s view and operated the examination controls to select answers.
Investigators allegedly used this information alongside electronic communications and financial transactions to examine the roles of the people involved.
The reports describe a payment arrangement in which Mollinedo allegedly completed applicants’ pre-licensing work and supplied certificates, while Contreras allegedly collected payments and directed money to Mollinedo.
A deputy wrote in an arrest report that Contreras established a usual fee of $30 per applicant, received payments through Zelle and paid Mollinedo.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and the charges against each suspect differ.
Five Suspects Arrested in Miami-Dade County
Authorities identified five people who were arrested in connection with the investigation.
Alejandro Mollinedo, 36, was arrested around 6 a.m. in the area of Southwest 24th Avenue and Coral Way in Miami. He faces four charges listed in the records: racketeering, conspiracy to racketeer, organized scheme to defraud and unlawful use of a communications device.
Angel Contreras, 44, was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center shortly before 9:10 a.m. He faces six charges: organized fraud, racketeering, conspiracy to racketeer, unlawful use of a communications device, acting as an insurance agent without a license and communications fraud.
Adriana Gil, 44, was arrested around 6 a.m. near Northwest 102nd Avenue and 88th Terrace in Doral. She faces five charges: racketeering, conspiracy to racketeer, organized scheme to defraud, unlawful use of a communications device and acting as an insurance agent without a license.
Yohana Fernandez, 28, was arrested around 6 a.m. near Northwest 87th Avenue and 161st Terrace in Miami Lakes. Her five listed charges are racketeering, conspiracy to racketeer, organized scheme to defraud, unlawful use of a communications device and acting as an insurance agent without a license.
Iyad Lamaa, 41, was arrested at approximately 5:35 a.m. near Northwest 114th Avenue and 43rd Terrace in Doral. He also faces five charges: racketeering, conspiracy to racketeer, organized scheme to defraud, unlawful use of a communications device and acting as an insurance agent without a license.
The five suspects were booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at different times Wednesday morning, according to the records.
Two More Suspects Remain at Large
The investigation had not concluded with the five arrests. Records also identified Lenys Gil, Adriana Gil’s cousin, and Katherinne Zerpa as suspects who remained at large on Wednesday.
The available information does not establish whether either person has since been located or taken into custody.
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Authorities have not provided further details in the supplied reports about the alleged roles of Lenys Gil and Zerpa or whether additional arrests are expected.
What the Charges Mean for the Case
The charges listed in the arrest records include racketeering, conspiracy, fraud-related offenses, unlawful use of a communications device and acting as an insurance agent without a license.
The specific allegations vary by defendant. Contreras faces the largest number of listed charges, while Mollinedo faces four.
The records also indicate that Contreras and Fernandez had holds placed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Such a hold is a separate matter from the criminal charges and does not establish guilt in the insurance licensing investigation.
Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Cristina Miranda was scheduled to preside over the cases, according to the information provided.
Investigation Focuses on Licensing and Exam Integrity
The case centers on allegations that applicants’ insurance licensing requirements were completed through an improper arrangement involving online examinations, pre-licensing work and payments.
Insurance licensing examinations are intended to assess whether applicants have the knowledge required to work in the industry. Alleged interference with that process can raise questions about the integrity of licensing and the safeguards used to verify candidates’ identities during remote testing.
For now, the case remains a matter of criminal allegations supported by arrest reports and court records. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
What do you think should be done to prevent fraud during online professional licensing exams? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
