• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Florida Man Accused Of Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Caught Escaping To Cuba On Jet Ski

Home> News

Updated 08:03 15 Jun 2022 GMT+1Published 07:48 15 Jun 2022 GMT+1

Florida Man Accused Of Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Caught Escaping To Cuba On Jet Ski

Authorities found the man just south of Florida Keys

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A bloke under investigation for a $4.2 million Medicare fraud scheme attempted to flee the US on a jet ski, authorities have said. 

Ernesto Cruz Graveran, originally from Cuba but who now lives in Florida, was apprehended by U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers after the jet ski he was on broke down outside of Florida Keys last week.

The jet ski had been ‘outfitted with a special fuel cell to allow for long trips’ and had food and bottled stashed away in its compartments. 

The man was found on a broken down jet ski. (Stock image).
Alamy

Advert

Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Carlos Suarez wrote in the criminal complaint: "I believe it is probable that Cruz Graveran was in fact fleeing to Cuba aboard the Jet Ski to evade prosecution.”

Cruz Graveran, 54, appeared before Magistrate Judge Alicia Otazo-Reyes who agreed with prosecutors that he should not be released on bail as he is a flight risk. 

He’s now being detained at the Federal Detention Center in Miami until his trial.

According to a criminal complaint, during a two-month period, Cruz Graveran’s company Xiko Enterprises submitted around $4.2 million in fraudulent healthcare claims to Medicare for equipment that was never requested by or given to beneficiaries. 

Advert

The complaint claims Xiko was paid more than $2.1 million by Medicare. 

Alamy

Cruz Gaveran is also accused of requesting $1 million in claims referred by one doctor for 145 beneficiaries, but it transpired that none of the 145 were patients of the doctor and the doctor had never prescribed any of the equipment. 

Cruz Graveran told investigators that he was the ‘nominee owner’ of Xiko and claimed that an associate had paid him in order to use his name on business records and the company’s bank account. 

Advert

He admitted to signing cheques at the request of the same association and said he had also chased the same cheques - which ranged in value from $60,000 to $90,000 - and says he gave this money to the associate.

Cruz Graveran had been cooperating with the investigation and turned over his passport to the authorities. 

However, authorities say last Wednesday he was found on the broken jet ski in waters south of Florida Keys headed in the direction of Cuba.

If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via [email protected]  

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock

Topics: US News, Crime

Claire Reid
Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at UNILAD who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

4 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • 4 hours ago

    Someone who invested $7,793 into Bitcoin 14 years ago and only just accessed it is now worth a staggering amount

    After 14 years of lying dormant, two bitcoin wallets holding 10,000 bitcoin each were activated this week

    News
  • 4 hours ago

    Elon Musk reveals 'two-part plan' to take control of US Congress with 'America Party'

    The Tesla boss has a new idea to shake up politics in the US

    News
  • 5 hours ago

    Expert issues urgent warning for anyone thinking about travelling whilst on Ozempic or Mounjaro

    Those on Ozempic or Mounjaro may face problems abroad if they don't declare it

    News
  • 5 hours ago

    YouTuber Nikocado Avocado shares shocking results of plastic surgery after 250lb weight loss

    Nikocado explained that following his weight loss, he sought the help of a plastic surgeon

    News
  • How one woman stole $53 million from her hometown for over two decades without being caught
  • 'World's most secure prison' holding El Chapo has important features which prevent anyone from escaping
  • Awkward moment Tesla owner confronts man allegedly caught drawing swastika on car
  • Man accused of spending 40 years hiding using dead classmate's identity until one error exposed his alleged crimes