Wei Hong La Femina {BSO}
A Parkland woman accused of orchestrating a wide-ranging student loan fraud scheme involving more than $147,000 has been taken into custody following a traffic stop earlier this month, according to court records.
Wei Hong La Femina, 48, the 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 listed as the owner of multiple Florida businesses, including Bright Education Institute Corp., Phoenix Oriental Massage & Spa LLC, Palace Massage Inc., and UB Massage Inc., with several of the entities appearing under her name across multiple filings.
Investigators allege she unlawfully opened student loan accounts in the names of dozens of students without their permission and diverted the funds to bank accounts under her control.
According to investigators, victims believed they were either paying for coursework out of pocket or agreeing to specific loan amounts to attend the vocational school. Instead, authorities say significantly larger loans were taken out in their names, often without their knowledge or consent. In many cases, victims reported learning of the loans only after receiving collection notices or seeing damage to their credit reports.
The investigation outlines a pattern in which student loans were allegedly electronically signed using the school’s internet protocol address, with proceeds routed to a Wells Fargo account, which investigators say was controlled by La Femina.
Detectives documented in a warrant for her arrest that they received complaints from numerous former students who reported unauthorized loans, forged signatures, altered loan amounts, and unfulfilled promises of refunds.
Some victims told investigators they never attended classes, while others said they completed coursework but were unable to obtain transcripts or certifications required to work in their field.
Records show that several students reported that payments on fraudulent loans were made intermittently before abruptly stopping, which investigators say further alerts lenders and borrowers to irregularities.
The school’s website lists certification programs in massage therapy, medical assisting, cosmetology, facial specialty, and nail technology.
The website also lists recruiters that include Broward Health, Jackson Health System, Delray Medical Center, Plantation Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, MiCasa Senior Living, and Covenant Living Communities & Services, along with private-sector brands such as Massage Envy, Stretch Zone, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Bommarito Performance Systems, and Equinox.
A judge has issued warrants on multiple counts. La Femina was taken into custody on January 17 after a routine traffic stop revealed she had multiple active warrants for her arrest.
The case remains under investigation. Investigators ask any former students who believe they were impacted in a similar way, or have more information, to contact the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
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