CHICAGO—A growing wave of fraud targeting immigrants is sweeping the nation, with scammers masquerading as lawyers or law enforcement officers in an attempt to steal money. This alarming trend has been highlighted by investigations from the ABC7 Chicago I-Team and ABC News, with Chicago being one of the affected areas.
Fraudsters are exploiting the vulnerabilities of immigrants, often instructing them to pay a supposed “bond” to avoid imprisonment, according to Robert Richardson from the FBI’s Chicago Field Office.
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Special Agent Richardson explained that while these scams can target anyone, they frequently prey on immigrants living in the United States without legal status. The FBI has issued warnings about these impersonators.
“These criminals are not only impersonating me and my team but are also posing as various federal officials,” Richardson stated. “We are committed to using every investigative and prosecutorial tool at our disposal to track them down and ensure justice is served.”
In a related case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged a Chicago woman with defrauding several victims of $3.5 million under the guise of using their money for immigration purposes.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office recently charged a woman in Chicago for allegedly swindling multiple victims out of $3.5 million, claiming their money would be used to support immigration.
And in New York, five were charged with impersonating immigration judges, law enforcement officers and lawyers. They entered a not guilty plea.
Edith did not want to use her last name, but the South Carolina woman says she lost $10,000 to a fake immigration attorney after her husband was detained.
“My partner calls me and tells me, ‘your lawyer didn’t arrive. Your lawyer didn’t enter the video call,’” Edith said.
Catholic Charities also says criminals are impersonating them and other organizations.
“People claiming to be Catholic charities and other organizations that provide legal services to immigrants and refugees and using social media to fraudulently offer services, express urgency, ask for money. And for us it’s been, it’s heartbreaking to see people who are in need and looking for help and being taken advantage of,” said Kevin Brennan, with Catholic Charities.
The FBI says when in doubt call an agency or trusted law enforcement phone number on your own.
“We generally won’t call you and say, ‘there is a warrant for your arrest. Send us money.’ Generally speaking we will be there,” Richardson said.
Experts say many of these scams are on social media apps through ads. Or they reach out via direct message.
Always be skeptical of anyone expressing urgency or asking for a quick payment.
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