Four Fraud Suspects on Florida Division of Insurance Fraud's 'Most Wanted List'

January 27, 2006

Florida's Division of Insurance Fraud is looking for three suspects it alleges were involved in an insurance scam labeled by the division as "Operation Heartthrob," and the division is also looking for a suspect who is wanted for making a false workers' compensation claim.

Carlos Manual Prieto, Maria Carmen Prieto, and Gabriel O. Sanchez of Miami, Fla. are wanted establishing a fictitious heart monitoring company and billing clients and insurance companies for services not rendered. Anyone with information about their whereabouts has been asked to contact Investigator Kathy Romano, Division of Insurance Fraud, Plantation Office, (954) 321-2902.

Carlow Montiero of Hialeah Springs, Fla. is wanted in connection with a fraudulent workers' compensation claim he filed under an assumed name and social security number. He is also a material witness to additional offenses which were committed by his employer. Anyone with information about Montero's activities or whereabouts should contact The Division of Insurance Fraud, Miami Office, 305-536-0302 or Miami-Dade Warrants at (305) 471-1700.

Fraud Busters Encouraged

The Division of Insurance Fraud sponsors a program called "Fraud Busters," that rewards private citizens for reporting suspected crime or for helping apprehend suspects.

Rewards are payable to persons providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons committing complex and organized insurance crimes. All reports remain confidential.

Rewards up to: $25,000 for information of losses greater than $1 million; $10,000 for information of losses between $100,000 and $1 million; $5,000 for information of losses between $20,000 and $100,000; and $1,000 for information of losses less than $20,000.

Insurance fraud can be reported in Florida by calling (800) 378-0445, or from outside the state call (850) 413-3261.