VIRGINIA GARDENS, Fla. — State investigators arrested three individuals Thursday morning for allegedly running a fraudulent insurance school in Virginia Gardens. The scheme allowed prospective insurance agents to pay others to take state licensing examinations on their behalf.
The father-son team of Rainier Miguel Salas, 59, and Rainier Alexander Salas, 27, both of Miami, are accused of operating D&R Academy from an office building located at 6405 NW 36th St., near Miami International Airport. Investigators claim they took exams on behalf of clients who paid for the service. Karla Lit Peralta, 26, of Miami Gardens, is alleged to have assisted them in this operation, which authorities state occurred between November and February.
While both Peralta and the younger Salas hold insurance licenses, the elder Salas is reportedly prohibited from engaging in insurance activities in Florida.
The investigation began when an external audit revealed “multiple inconsistencies” in the examination system run by contractor Pearson VUE. Their internal investigation identified approximately 820 subverted exams linked to six computers that were not authorized testing centers. This led to a suspension of licenses based on the registrant list.
Florida Department of Financial Services investigators interviewed witnesses, who indicated that D&R Academy charged clients between $400 and $2,000 to obtain licenses by having someone else take their exams. Reports suggest that Peralta and the elder Salas negotiated pricing, charging approximately $400 for the Florida 2-15 Life & Health license and about $2,000 for the Florida 2-20 Property & Casualty Insurance license.
As a receptionist, Peralta was responsible for creating accounts and scheduling testing dates. Witness statements revealed that she would take clients’ photos, instruct them to remove their watches and phones, and direct them to a soundproof room next to where Salas would be seated. Salas would then set up a MacBook logged into the client’s Pearson VUE account, providing specific instructions to ensure the testing appeared legitimate while he controlled the computer from the adjacent room.
The Salas pair now faces charges of organized scheme to defraud, representing or aiding an unauthorized insurer, acting as insurance agents without licenses, and criminal solicitation. Additionally, the elder Salas faces a count of unlawful use of a communications device, while Peralta faces charges of organized scheme to defraud and unlawful use of a communications device.
As of Thursday afternoon, all three individuals were in the process of posting bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis released a statement following their arrests, emphasizing the importance of integrity in the insurance industry.
