The person at the center of this case
Medicare beneficiaries and the United States Government
Cold Case · Open - Wanted Fugitive
17 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
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suspect
Lead #1Luis Benitez walks with a limp due to a leg injury—could this physical characteristic aid in identification and apprehension?
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location
Lead #2Why did authorities believe Benitez would flee to Cuba, Dominican Republic, or Nicaragua? What connections or resources does he have in those countries?
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evidence
Lead #3How were the sham companies structured to launder millions in Medicare funds, and can financial records trace the money flow?
Luis Benitez is a fugitive wanted for his alleged role in a multi-million dollar Medicare fraud scheme operating through eleven medical clinics in Miami-Dade, Florida from 2001 to 2004. The scheme involved submitting false claims for unnecessary HIV infusion treatments, paying kickbacks to patients for their Medicare information, and laundering millions through sham companies. He was indicted on May 22, 2008, and remains at large; authorities believe he may have fled to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, or Nicaragua.
Case
#1102
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
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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 #4Were the straw owners identified and prosecuted, and can they provide information about Benitez's current whereabouts?
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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2001-01-01
Fraud Scheme Begins
Luis Benitez and associates begin operating medical clinics using straw owners to disguise their involvement in the Medicare fraud scheme
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2004-12-31
Scheme Ends
The alleged fraudulent operations through the eleven medical clinics conclude
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2008-05-22
Federal Indictment
Luis Benitez is indicted by Federal Grand Jury for conspiracy to defraud the United States, health care fraud, false claims submission, and money laundering
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:January 1, 2001
Last Updated:May 12, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:January 1, 2001
Last Updated:May 12, 2026