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Posted Oct. 02, 2005

Local immigrants often targeted in scams


By Cynthia Hodnett
chodnett@greenbaypressgazette.com

Amparo Baudhuin, an immigration counselor at Catholic Charities of Green Bay, hears many sad stories from immigrants ripped off in scams promising them legal U.S. residency.

The stories usually begin with illegal immigrants meeting people claiming to be authorized immigration service employees. The fake officials usually gain immigrants’ trust, promising them help in becoming legal residents, and eventually collecting money from them.

The immigrant scam is one of countless rip-offs targeting Hispanics, according to those who work in immigration.

The problem has become such a concern that the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Centro Hispano of Dane County and University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension are hosting a conference Tuesday in Madison on the issue.

Baudhuin said she doesn’t plan to attend the conference but supports its message.

“People are desperate and are willing to take desperate measures,� she said. “There are people who are willing to lie and take advantage of those who are desperate. The worst part for us is when we are called by our clients to remedy what these people do. It’s a terrible dilemma. We want to tell them we are sorry and that they made a bad choice but there’s usually nothing we can do for them.�

Many con artists travel from city to city, working out of hotel rooms or offices. They promote their businesses through word of mouth, on fliers and at Hispanic businesses, she said.

Besides promises of help gaining legal residency, con artists also persuade people to give them money in a pillow or bag so they can bless it because the money is contaminated. The con artists promise to return the money. Instead, they replace it with shredded paper.

“I know of someone who was duped out of $25,000,� Baudhuin said. “These people lose a lot. It’s their entire life savings.�

An FTC survey released in 2004 found Hispanics were nearly twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to be victims of fraud. Six percent of the whites had been defrauded compared with 12 percent of the Hispanics. Some experts say immigration status and language may spur con artists to target Hispanics.

Catholic Diocese of Green Bay officials say an Appleton man became a victim of an immigration scam, spending more than $5,000 to get legal residency. He was detained in Mexico during a medical exam and is struggling to return to the United States.

Officials are concerned there might be more victims out there who are too embarrassed to report the scams. Because many who are ripped off are illegal residents, they don’t report the incidents to the police for fear of deportation and retaliation from the con artists, Baudhuin said.

“I would like to see immigration and Congress introduce a bill to forbid people who aren’t authorized to dispense immigration advice and forms legally,� she said. “If we would be serious in prosecuting these folks, we would be able to stop a lot of heartache.�