Catholic Charities has issued an alert warning of scammers using the ministry as a front to exploit immigrants seeking legal assistance.
According to the alert, scammers claim they represent Catholic Charities and ask victims to provide personal information or pay fees for non-existent immigration legal services.
ABC affiliate ABC11 reported that Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh is among the agencies that have experienced impersonators. The scammers used fake Facebook pages and WhatsApp accounts to persuade victims to pay money for immigration legal help, — often pressuring them with threats of deportation or other consequences — before disappearing.
Catholic Charities said that scammers often request fees through payment platforms like Zelle. ABC11 also noted that they use other hard-to-trace services, including Venmo or Cash App.
Consuelo Kwee, director of immigration legal services for Raleigh’s Catholic Charities, said victims have lost thousands of dollars and called the scam “very hurtful,” according to ABC11.
“It’s very sad to hear the stories of these people,” she said, “and it also makes us very angry because our community feels so vulnerable.”
Catholic Charities urges those targeted by the scams to avoid responding or sending money, and encourages them to inquire about legitimate legal help at their local Catholic Charities agency.