Thousands of people are facing issues after a couple from Woodbury, Minnesota, allegedly charged for visa services that were never delivered, according to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. The couple, Christian Palacios and Juan Diego Guevara Sanchez, has been accused of falsely advertising non-immigrant tourist visa services. They reportedly misled customers into thinking they could help reunite families, only to spend the money on luxury items.
Ellison’s lawsuit claims that over 100 consumer complaints led to this investigation. He states, “No one should be taken advantage of because they miss their family.” The couple is accused of targeting people who haven’t seen their relatives for years, promising to submit applications for tourist visas.
The businesses involved — Nueva Vision Latinoamerica, Nueva Vision Multiservicios LLC, and Multinacional Express LLC — allegedly collected hundreds to thousands of dollars under the guise of a “family reunification” program. However, many clients found that their visa applications were never submitted, and consular appointments were never made.
According to the complaint, the couple often kept customers’ original passports and refused to return them unless more payments were made. This tactic raised concerns of extortion.
Ellison mentioned that the couple spent their fraudulent gains on a lavish lifestyle, including luxury vehicles like a BMW and a $183,000 Bentley, as well as designer handbags and cosmetic surgery.
This case reflects a broader issue in the immigrant community, where individuals seeking to reunite with family often face exploitation. A recent study showed that around 32% of immigrants reported being scammed in similar situations involving immigration services. The Attorney General has urged anyone affected by these practices to file a complaint with his office.
If you or someone you know has been impacted, you can reach out to the Minnesota Attorney General’s office here.
Source link
bloomington,courts,hennepin county,washington county,woodbury,minnesota,crime & public safety,news,uncategorized
