Woman who impersonated immigration worker must repay more than $50K
A woman behind an “immigration assistance scam” has pleaded guilty to felony theft, the office of the Nevada attorney general announced Wednesday.
From March 2012 to March 2014, Norma Olga Benavidez, 60, of Las Vegas, stole tens of thousands of dollars from those seeking legal status in the U.S. by impersonating a federal employee, the release said.
Benavidez falsely claimed to be the “Chief of Immigration,” the release said, and promised victims she could assist with citizenship paperwork in exchange for “significant fees” that totaled more than $50,000.
“Immigrants already deal with many challenges, and should not also be faced with exploitation by unscrupulous fraudsters. Criminal prosecutions of this kind will remain a priority in this office,” Attorney General Adam Laxalt wrote in the release.
As part of her plea, Benavidez is ordered to pay restitution of more than $50,000 to 11 victims.
Contact Kimberly De La Cruz at kdelacruz@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Find her on Twitter: @KimberlyinLV.
