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Migrant fraud scheme uses WhatsApp, impersonates Catholic Charities
🇦🇷 Argentina /Crime & Justice

Migrant fraud scheme uses WhatsApp, impersonates Catholic Charities

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A fraud scheme is using the name of Catholic Charities to scam migrants seeking legal assistance.
  • Scammers pose as lawyers, offer fake immigration services via WhatsApp and social media, and demand money for non-existent procedures.
  • Catholic Charities warns the public to verify all services directly with their offices and not to share personal information or money with unknown contacts.

A new migration fraud scheme is targeting vulnerable individuals seeking legal help, impersonating Catholic Charities. Scammers are using WhatsApp and social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok to contact potential victims, posing as lawyers or organization representatives.

The fraudulent operation involves offering non-existent immigration services and demanding payment for fabricated procedures. One reported case involved a resident who paid $592 for a fake "10-year motion" and a simulated immigration hearing via video call. After the initial payment, the scammers demanded further funds, raising the victim's suspicions.

Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley has issued a public alert, emphasizing that they do not use WhatsApp for immigration services or to schedule official appointments. The organization urges individuals to verify any immigration-related matters directly with their offices before providing personal documents, data, or money. They have provided a contact number for reporting suspicious messages.

No responda y no comparta información personal.

— Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande ValleyThe organization advised potential victims on how to respond to suspicious contacts.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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