Inside the world of immigration scams

 

FTC videos: Immigration Scams

2023-10-20 NPR Marketplace Morning Edition: Inside the world of immigration scams

Criminals use complex immigration law as well as immigration status against their victims, says Juan Manuel Pedroza, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

"These scams happen because people are looking for answers and help to adjust your legal status,” said Pedroza, who has researched immigration scams.

Marketplace’s David Brancaccio spoke with Pedroza about the nature of these scams and how to deter them from happening. The following is an edited transcript of their conversation.  read / listen more 

More Immigration Scam Resources:

• FTC Consumer: Scams Against Immigrants (resources in multiple languages)
• FTC Consumer: How Myriam and Pedro Learn about Notario Scams English | Spanish
  • This fotonovela tells readers the warning signs of a notario scam, where to find help with the immigration process, and how to report scams to the Federal Trade Commission.
  • Also see more FTC Fotonovelos English | Spanish
• FTC videos on YouTube
• DOJ EOIR: Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program
• IRS Identity Theft/Scams videos on YouTube English | multilingual | ASL
• Travel.State.gov: Fraud Warning: Diversity Visa: Program Scammers Sending Fraudulent Emails and Letters
• USCIS: Scams, Fraud, and Misconduct
• uscitizenpod: Immigration Scams playlist