Operation Southern Wave Targets Fraudsters in Florida

From February 3-18, 2015, the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Miami Field Office, working with multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities, apprehended 26 individuals suspected of identity theft, as well as passport and visa fraud. “Operation Southern Wave” stretched from Jacksonville to Miami, including the Middle District of Florida (MDFL), and generated a total of 18 new federal cases. Of those, nine individuals were charged in the MDFL for making false statements in application for a passport. Approximately 150 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers were involved in support of Operation Southern Wave.

Special Agent in Charge Wendy Bashnan (left-center) of the DSS-Miami Field Office presents U.S. Attorney Lee Bentley (right-center) with an award for the USAO-MDFL’s participation in Operation Southern Wave.

Also pictured are DSS Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Brown (far left) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Gable (far right).