Florida Woman Loses $292 in Year-Long Cuban Passport Scam

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Mercedes de la Rosa, a 73-year-old Cuban resident of Palm Bay, Florida, paid nearly $300 to process her Cuban passport through an agency in southern Florida. Despite waiting for over a year, the document never arrived. De la Rosa was told there were issues with her Cuban nationality, and the company initially offered a partial refund before eventually reimbursing the full $292 after media intervention.

Why it matters

The case underscores the difficulties faced by many Cubans abroad when managing documents with authorities on the island, processes that are frequently lengthy, costly, and lacking in transparency. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing economic challenges within Cuba and the complex relationship between Havana and Washington, which impacts consular services and travel regulations.

The details

De la Rosa paid $292 to process her Cuban passport through an agency in southern Florida in July 2024, with the promise that the document would be returned within 6 months to a year. After waiting patiently for the first 6 months, De la Rosa began calling for information, but was always told the passport was "in process." After a full year, she was informed there were issues with her Cuban nationality, and the company initially offered a partial refund of around $150, which she rejected. De la Rosa then filed a complaint with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the case reached the investigative segment 'Responde' of Telemundo 31, which contacted the company. The company then stated the passport was in the issuance stage and agreed to reimburse the full $292 service fee.

• In July 2024, De la Rosa paid $292 to process her Cuban passport through an agency in southern Florida.
• After 6 months of waiting, De la Rosa began calling for information on the status of her passport.
• After a full year of waiting, De la Rosa was informed there were issues with her Cuban nationality.
• In September 2024, the company communicated the passport had been approved and would arrive in approximately one month, but it never materialized.
• After more than a year without concrete results, De la Rosa decided to cancel the process and demand a refund in September 2025.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The case underscores the need for greater transparency and efficiency in the processing of official documents for Cubans living abroad, as well as a more streamlined system for maintaining ties with their homeland.