BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — A Parkland woman accused of orchestrating a student loan fraud scheme exceeding $147,000 has been taken into custody following a traffic stop earlier this month, according to court records.
Wei Hong La Femina, 48, owner of Bright Education Institute in Dania Beach, faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree grand theft, fraud involving $50,000 or more, and numerous counts of identity theft. State records show La Femina is also associated with several other Florida businesses, including Phoenix Oriental Massage & Spa LLC, Palace Massage Inc., and UB Massage Inc.
Investigators allege La Femina opened student loan accounts in the names of dozens of students without their authorization and redirected the funds into bank accounts she controlled. Victims reportedly believed they were paying tuition out of pocket or agreeing to limited loan amounts, only to later discover significantly larger loans had been taken out in their names.
According to authorities, many students learned of the loans only after receiving collection notices or noticing damage to their credit reports. Investigators say loan documents were electronically signed using the school’s internet protocol address, with proceeds routed to a Wells Fargo account allegedly controlled by La Femina.
Complaints detailed in arrest warrants include allegations of forged signatures, altered loan amounts, unfulfilled refund promises, and missing transcripts or certifications. Some students reported never attending classes, while others said they completed coursework but were unable to obtain credentials required for employment.
Investigators also noted that partial payments were sometimes made on fraudulent loans before stopping abruptly, a pattern that raised red flags for lenders and borrowers.
A judge issued arrest warrants on multiple counts, and La Femina was taken into custody on Jan. 17 after a routine traffic stop revealed she had several active warrants. The investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities urge any former students who believe they may have been affected, or who have additional information, to contact the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
