2 indicted in immigration scam operated out of Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS – A Clark County grand jury indicted two individuals Wednesday on multiple felony state charges for their role in operating an immigration fraud scam out of Las Vegas, following a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Nevada Attorney General’s Fraud Unit.
Ernesto Gerardo Fernandez-Carranza, 33, of Las Vegas, and Alicia Herrera, formerly known as Alicia Alvarado Lopez, 53, of Oakland, California, were charged with three counts of theft; three counts of possession or sale of documents or personal identifying information used to establish fake status or identity; and one count of multiple transactions involving fraud or deceit in the course of an enterprise or occupation. The alleged scam occurred from January 2014 through July 2014.
According to the indictment, Fernandez-Carranza and Herrera falsely promised their clients with genuine U.S. visas. Instead, the pair collected thousands of dollars from their clients and provided them with fraudulent immigration documents in return.
“Our immigrant community should be protected from exploitation by unscrupulous fraudsters,” said Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt. “My office will continue to safeguard the integrity of the legal immigration system and prosecute those seeking to undermine it.”
“Regrettably, the victims in this case placed their trust and, in many cases, considerable sums of money in the hands of individuals who were focused on enriching themselves, rather than on helping hopeful immigrants realize the American dream,” said Michael Harris, assistant special agent in charge for HSI Las Vegas. “As this case makes clear, HSI will move aggressively to target those who hold themselves out as legitimate immigration practitioners and greedily exploit their clients’ trust.”
Individuals seeking information or assistance with residency and citizenship are urged to use licensed attorneys that are confirmed by the State Bar or accredited representatives and recognized organizations authorized by the Board of Immigration Appeals.
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