Venezuelan prison sets up fake U.S. court to scam migrants

A group of criminals established a fraudulent U.S. immigration court within a Venezuelan prison, targeting migrants in New York. The operation was led by a man named Gustavo Cortez Osco, who posed as an immigration attorney, offering false legal services for asylum and residency. He utilized a New Jersey phone number and claimed to have a legitimate office to deceive victims, particularly Hispanic women, who were drawn to his Spanish-speaking abilities and apparent empathy for their struggles. The scammers did not directly collect payments from victims; instead, they employed intermediaries with U.S. bank accounts to facilitate transactions through the Zelle payment system. One intermediary, a Colombian national, boasted about his connections to a criminal gang and the elaborate setup of the fake court, which included a green screen to simulate a courtroom environment. Victims like Rusbelys Robles and Nivida Yolanda Green recounted their experiences, revealing how they were manipulated into believing they were receiving legitimate legal assistance. Cortez Osco pressured them into making payments, using fear tactics related to potential deportations under Donald Trump's presidency. The victims were misled into thinking they were making progress in their immigration cases. Cortez Osco expressed a lack of remorse for his actions, indicating that he believed the consequences of his crimes would not significantly affect his situation. His motivations included a personal interest in one of the victims, highlighting the emotional complexities intertwined with the fraudulent scheme. This case underscores the vulnerability of migrants seeking legal help and the lengths to which criminals will go to exploit their desperation.