Police in Kenner have arrested a man accused of scamming a woman out of thousands of dollars by falsely promising to help her obtain U.S. citizenship.
Authorities say the suspect created an elaborate scheme to appear like a legitimate immigration attorney, convincing the victim to pay large amounts of money for services that never existed. Investigators now believe there could be many more victims involved in the case.
Man Arrested for Alleged Immigration Scam
According to the Kenner Police Department, the suspect has been identified as David Ardila-Garcia. Police say he falsely presented himself as an immigration attorney and promised to help a woman secure legal status in the United States.
The victim reportedly found Ardila-Garcia through a Facebook page titled “Abogado de Inmigración,” which made him appear to be a professional immigration lawyer.
Believing his claims, the woman paid him a total of $6,020 for assistance with immigration services for herself and her children.
Promises of Social Security Numbers and Citizenship
Investigators say Ardila-Garcia promised to arrange several important immigration documents for the woman and her family.
These included:
- Social Security numbers
- Work permits
- Assistance with obtaining U.S. citizenship
Police say the suspect convinced the woman that the process was legitimate and that he had connections with federal immigration officials.
Fake Federal Contact Used to Appear Legitimate
Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley said Ardila-Garcia allegedly went to extreme lengths to make the scam appear real.
Authorities claim the suspect staged fake interactions with what appeared to be federal immigration officials. The setup reportedly included people wearing fake gear and using banners to make it look official.
Investigators say the victim was even placed in contact with individuals pretending to represent federal agencies such as immigration officials or Homeland Security Investigations.
During this process, the suspect reportedly continued asking for additional payments.
Chief Conley said the woman ended up losing close to $7,000 through the scheme without receiving any real immigration assistance.
Police Believe More Victims May Exist
Authorities suspect that the case may involve more victims.
Investigators believe Ardila-Garcia may have targeted multiple people using the same fake immigration services. Police say the total amount stolen in the scheme could possibly reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Because of this, officials are continuing their investigation and asking other potential victims to come forward.
Multiple Charges Filed Against Suspect
Ardila-Garcia is currently in custody and facing several criminal charges.
The charges include:
- Bank fraud
- Illegal transmission of monetary funds
- Computer fraud
- False personation
- Theft
Police say the investigation is still ongoing and additional arrests may be possible as more details emerge.
Victim Still Without Legal Immigration Status
Although the suspect has been arrested, the victim remains in the same situation regarding her immigration status.
Immigration attorney Michael Gahagan explained that scams like this can have serious consequences for victims.
He said that fraudsters are not only stealing money but also taking advantage of people’s hopes of building a life in the United States.
Immigration Scams Often Go Unreported
Experts say immigration-related scams are more common than many people realize.
According to Gahagan, many victims are afraid to report the crime to police because they worry about possible immigration consequences.
This fear often allows scammers to continue targeting vulnerable individuals.
Officials Urge People to Verify Attorneys
Authorities are reminding people to always verify the credentials of anyone offering immigration services.
Experts recommend checking whether an attorney is officially registered with the state bar association before paying for legal services.
Officials also warn that promises of quick citizenship or guaranteed legal status should be considered a major red flag.
Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley said that if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
