Federal prosecutors have charged a man and a woman with bilking immigrants of more than $100,000 through a bogus California legal services company in Pico Rivera.
Our Los Angeles immigration attorneys and San Bernardino immigration lawyers applaud the crackdown on these companies, which prey on the needs of immigrants. As we reported last week on our California Immigration Attorney Blog, the city of Los Angeles has launched an educational effort as part of a program aimed at warning of companies engaging in the unauthorized practice of law.
Our immigrant friends face many challenges; being ripped off when seeking qualified legal advice should not be one of them.
Courthouse News Service reports that the pair claimed to be immigration officers and immigration attorneys and took money in exchange for submitting fraudulent federal applications. They now face a 16-count indictment and up to 127 years in prison.
The couple could also face millions of dollars in fines and prosecutors are seeking $120,000 in restitution for the victims. The 58-year-old man and 47-year-old woman face charges of mail fraud and identity theft. The woman was arraigned in federal court in Albuquerque and will be brought to San Diego to face the charges, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.
The arrests come after a year long investigation by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security.
The defendants formed a company called California Legal Services in 2001 and operated out of Pico Rivera in Los Angeles County. They charged fees to immigrants seeking legal status. The immigrants thought they were being legally represented.
The government reports that at least 11 victims were scammed out of more than $120,000. There may be additional victims and anyone with information is asked to call (619) 550-5229.
The California immigration lawyers at HOWARD | NASSIRI are dedicated to fighting for immigrant rights throughout the Los Angeles area, including Anaheim, Santa Ana and Irvine. Please don't fall prey to one of these scams. If you need legal services, contact us today for a confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-872-5925 or contact us through this website.
