SAN JOSE (CBS SF) – A woman who provides immigration services in San Jose is charged with allegedly defrauding customers seeking help with their applications, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s office.
Detectives from the Notario Fraud Unit said a husband and wife came forward and said they paid the suspect about $ 5,000 to fill out a citizenship and visa application.
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Over a four-year period, the suspect announced to clients that she had filed her application with the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Detectives said the suspect made no claims to USCIS, kept the victims’ money and made no refunds.
As a result, the couple were unable to visit their homeland to visit their dying relatives, detectives said.
In another case, detectives said another client paid about $ 1,000 to apply for Deferred Action under the DACA program. No application was sent and no money was refunded.
The victim lost a scholarship and the opportunity to attend a local business school, the sheriff’s office said.
Detectives said they interviewed the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Jasmine E. Sanchez, at her office in the Tropicana Shopping Center on Story Road. The detectives found she hadn’t filed immigration papers or cleared her client’s transactions.
Jasmine Sanchez. (Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office)
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Sanchez also allegedly claimed to be a drafted immigration adviser with the California State Department office and showed an expired note deed in her office.
According to state records, Sanchez did not have approval from the Secretary of State or the State of California. Sanchez received a cease and desist letter from state officials in 2018.
On Saturday, Sanchez turned himself in to a bail officer. She is charged with aggravated theft, theft on false pretenses, and violations of the Immigration Consultant Act.
At first it was not known when Sanchez would appear in court.
MPs said the alleged victims of Sanchez are working with immigration lawyers to gain citizenship.
According to the sheriff’s office, an immigration officer must have a $ 100,000 bond, undergo a background check, and file a disclosure statement with the Secretary of State. Immigration advisors are not lawyers, cannot provide legal advice, and are required to notify clients.
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Anyone who may have been a victim is asked to contact detectives with the sheriff’s office at 408-808-4599 or email tips@sheriff.sccgov.org.
