Scam cost illegal aliens $150,000 (CT)

WTNH Television ^ | 1/6/2006 | Puppage

[Puppage]

(Meriden-AP, Jan. 6, 2006 8:01 AM) _ Undocumented immigrants in the New Haven area were ripped off by about $150,000 in an alleged scam run by a New York woman who took their money and never produced the promised paperwork.

Maria Agosto was arraigned in Meriden Superior Court yesterday and charged with first-degree larceny and criminal impersonation. She is accused of posing as an immigration official. She lived for a while in Hamden.

The arrest warrant says dozens of people each week visited her apartment and were given different prices, depending on the difficulty of their cases.

One Colombian man paid $25,000 to obtain legal documents for his family. Others brought jewelry and cash.

Agosto was extradited on Wednesday by Hamden police from New York and is jailed on $100,000 bail.

[Puppage]

They arrest the scammer, not the illegal aliens?

[thoughtomator]

Hell, they should give her a medal.

[Mathews]

BOO fricken HOO. The illegals have been scamming us for sooo long. It's about time they got a little dose of their own medicine.

[Tonysgirl]

Good for her.

These illegal aliens come over here always expecting a free ride about time the ride ended with no return ticket.

[Lobbyist]

Kansas Attorney General Kline brought suit against a woman last year for ripping off illegal aliens. What was more controversial was the AG's decision that the illegal aliens be identified as John and Jane Doe in court records. The judge in the case allowed them anonymity. Kline's office stated that they did not turn them over to the ICE because they said they needed their testimony. They also stated that ICE would not be interested. Additionally, the monies that will be paid back to the illegal aliens will come from a fund managed by the Kansas Supreme Court that reimburses people who have been ripped off by lawyers. The woman that ripped off the illegal aliens was not an attorney. Currently it is a policy of Kline's office not to report illegal aliens who have been victims of consumer fraud.

[LurkedLongEnough]

How 'bout deporting the immigrants and the scammer?

[generally]

I'm all for deporting illegals, or even better - preventing them from entering in the first place, but it sounds like these people were at least trying to do the right thing and make themselves legal.

It's hard to know the full story, but based on what's said here, I do have some sympathy for the illegals.

[newcthem]

Kind of like the government workers who impersonate INS agents but never actually catch and deport anyone. At least this woman got back part of her tax dollars for supporting the illegals.

[Puppage]

How 'bout deporting the immigrants and the scammer?

Works for me

[Puppage]

but it sounds like these people were at least trying to do the right thing and make themselves legal

Sounds like they were trying to circumvent the process and get fake papers. Who in their right mind thinks you become legal by paying money to some person on the street?

[gubamyster]

ping

[LNewman]

... or pay with jewelry ...

[VeniVidiVici]

I do find this slightly ironic.

[dennisw]

Illegal alien invaders got ripped off by their fellow countryman?


Yawn ..... zzzZZZZZzzzzz.....

[blackie]

Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!

Support our Minutemen Patriots!

Be Ever Vigilant ~ Bump!

[neutrino]

Were I on the jury, the scammer would walk....

[R. Scott]

Criminals Scammed!

[nutmeg]

Connecticut ping! (article dated Jan. 6, 2006)

Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.

[operation clinton cleanup]

One Colombian man paid $25,000 to obtain legal documents for his family.

Hmmmm... a drug mule trying to import his family?