California girl cheated dozens of immigrants by posing as attorney

37-year-old Jessica Godoy Ramos of Lynwood (CA) will spend 15 months in prison and 6 months under house arrest for fraud and identity theft.

As reported in the Service of citizenship and immigration USA (U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — USCIS), the woman was impersonating a real lawyer from new York.

The swindler has received tens of thousands of dollars from unsuspecting customers, trying with its help to file a petition to receive immigration status and stay in the United States legally. For some of their victims, she even forged documents, but later some of them became suspicious and called the police.

The court also ordered the Jessica Ramos to return all the victims paid them money.

«This case is our answer to anyone who tries to deceive the public and the government, — said the head of the Department to USCIS in Los Angeles Donna Campagnolo. — The fight against fraud in our immigration system is a priority. We will always be vigilant.»

USCIS encourages all immigrants in need of legal assistance first to make sure that the person to whom they apply, is authorized to provide these services. To provide legal advice is entitled only to a licensed lawyer or accredited representativeworking in the organization recognized by the U.S. Department of justice (U. S. Department of Justice).

Read more about how to avoid scams in this field, read on.

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