Attorney General Laxalt Announces Grand Jury Indictments for Immigration Scam Operated out of Las Vegas


June 21, 2017

Las Vegas, NV – Today, Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced that Ernesto Gerardo Fernandez-Carranza, 33, of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Alicia Herrera, formerly known as Alicia Alvarado Lopez, 53, of Oakland, California, were indicted by the Clark County Grand Jury on multiple felony charges for operating an immigration fraud scam out of Las Vegas. The charges include: three counts of theft in the amount of $3,500 or more, three counts of possession or sale of document or personal identifying information to establish false 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 to provide their clients with lawful United States visas. They are accused of collecting thousands of dollars from their clients and providing them with fraudulent immigration documents.

      “Our immigrant community should be protected from exploitation by unscrupulous fraudsters,” said Laxalt. “My office will continue to safeguard the integrity of the legal immigration system and prosecute those seeking to undermine it".

        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.

          This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with assistance from the Attorney General’s Fraud Unit. The Office of the Nevada Attorney General’s Fraud Unit is prosecuting this case.

            An indictment is merely a charging document; every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

              The criminal indictment is attached. To file a complaint about someone suspected of committing a fraud, click here.

                 2017-06-21_Lopez_Alicia_Alvarado

                LOPEZ, ALICIA ALVARADO

                (Photo Courtesy of ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

                 

                 

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