The person at the center of this case
Medicare beneficiaries and the United States government
Cold Case · Open
18 years waiting · since 2008
LUIS BENITEZ
Justice for Medicare beneficiaries and the United States government — the trail went cold in 2008, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Luis Benitez walks with a limp due to a leg injury—could this distinguishing characteristic aid in identification and apprehension?
📍
location
Lead #2Why were Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua identified as likely destinations, and did Benitez have family or business connections in these countries?
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evidence
Lead #3How many Medicare beneficiaries were affected by this scheme, and what was the total amount defrauded from the government?
Luis Benitez, along with his brothers Carlos and Jose, is wanted for his alleged role in a multi-million dollar Medicare fraud scheme operating through eleven medical clinics in the Miami-Dade area between 2001 and 2004. The scheme involved billing Medicare for unnecessary HIV infusion treatments that were often never administered to patients, while paying kickbacks to beneficiaries for their Medicare information and laundering proceeds through shell companies. Benitez was indicted on May 22, 2008, and remains a fugitive; he may have fled to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, or Nicaragua.
Case
#1102
United States District Court, Southern District of Florida; Federal Bureau of Investigation
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4What shell companies were used to launder the millions of dollars, and are there financial trails that could lead to Benitez's current location?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, to Cause the Submission of False Claims, and to Pay Health Care Kickbacks; Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud; Submission of False Claims; Money Laundering Conspiracy; Money Laundering Caution: Luis Benitez, Carlos Benitez , and Jose Benitez are wanted for their alleged involvement in a multi-million dollar scheme to defraud Medicare in the Miami-Dade area of Florida. It is alleged that from 2001 through 2004, the Benitez brothers, using straw owners to disguise their own involvement, owned and directed eleven medical clinics that purportedly provided HIV infusion treatment to infected Medicare beneficiaries.
However, the medication that was alleged to have been given to the patients was medically unnecessary and often never given to the patients. The patients received kickbacks for their Medicare information.
The Benitez brothers then allegedly opened sham companies to launder millions of dollars coming into the clinics from Medicare. On May 22, 2008, the Benitez brothers were indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, for conspiracy to defraud the United States, to cause the submission of false claims, and to pay health care kickbacks; conspiracy to commit health care fraud; submission of false claims; money laundering conspiracy; and money laundering.
That same day, federal warrants were issued for their arrests. Remarks: Luis Benitez injured his leg and walks with a limp.
He may travel to Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.
Timeline of Events
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2001
Fraudulent Clinic Operations Begin
The Benitez brothers begin operating eleven medical clinics using straw owners to disguise their involvement in the Miami-Dade area.
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2004
Scheme Operations End
The fraudulent Medicare billing scheme concludes after operating for approximately three years.
👤
2008-05-22
Federal Indictment and Warrants Issued
Luis Benitez, Carlos Benitez, and Jose Benitez are indicted by Federal Grand Jury for conspiracy to defraud the United States, health care fraud, false claims, and money laundering. Federal arrest warrants issued the same day.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:January 1, 2001
Last Updated:June 15, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:January 1, 2001
Last Updated:June 15, 2026