Newport News police charge woman with scamming immigrants

By Cindy Clayton
© July 27, 2009
NEWPORT NEWS

Police said they have charged a woman with extorting money from immigrants who needed help with work visas.

Indira Delcarmen Pina, 37, of the 12700 block of Woodside Lane, was arrested Friday morning, according to a police news release. Pina also was charged with obtaining money by false pretenses.

Police said that six immigrants were approached by a woman who said she could help them with their paperwork for a fee. The woman, who made $5,600, told them they had appointments with immigration officials but didn’t contact them again.

The investigation, which began in February, involved detectives from Newport News along with agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the release says.

Police want to talk to other people who were promised help. Call Detective Jose Hernandez-Zamora at (757) 926-4756 to report the scam. Anyone with information can call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.


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