Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office to detail results of ‘Operation Ghost Writer’ fraud investigation at news conference

What officials are expected to address

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office is scheduled to brief the public Friday, February 20, 2026, on a fraud investigation described as “Operation Ghost Writer,” following what officials have characterized as a six-month probe into a large-scale scheme. The news conference is being conducted jointly with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office.

Authorities have not released, in advance of the briefing, a detailed public accounting of the alleged conduct, the number of targets, the dollar amount at issue, or the specific charges being pursued. The planned remarks are expected to outline investigative findings, identify any arrests or warrants, and explain the mechanics of the scheme as investigators understand it.

Why the Tax Collector’s Office is part of the case

The participation of the Tax Collector’s Office points to potential intersections between fraud and county-administered licensing, registrations, tax-related documentation, or other services processed through that office. In recent years, Miami-Dade has faced multiple fraud patterns that rely on documentation, identity data, or altered paperwork to trigger payments, access services, or create false records.

Public statements from county agencies have also highlighted that fraud investigations increasingly involve coordinated work across offices that hold key transactional records, including applications, appointment logs, and verification trails that can help establish timelines and identify repeat actors.

Broader enforcement context in Miami-Dade

Operation Ghost Writer unfolds amid heightened local enforcement attention on organized fraud schemes. A county public-safety initiative launched in 2023 and expanded in 2024 trained officers to identify indicators of staged vehicle crashes—an established pathway for generating fraudulent insurance claims. In that effort, Miami-Dade authorities reported dozens of arrests in a matter of months and described organized networks that can involve multiple intermediaries and businesses.

Separately, recent law-enforcement activity in Miami-Dade has included investigations into alleged fraud connected to vehicle and tag-related services, where investigators have cited forged signatures and misconduct allegations involving multiple participants.

Key questions for Friday’s briefing

• Whether arrests have been made or additional suspects are being sought.
• The estimated financial impact and the method used to obtain funds or benefits.
• Whether the scheme involved identity theft, document falsification, or misuse of official processes.
• Any steps residents should take to protect personal information or review records.

Authorities have described the case as a coordinated, multi-agency investigation spanning roughly six months.

Officials are expected to provide next steps after the announcement, including how additional victims may come forward and whether more enforcement actions are anticipated.