Mike Feuer's office to crack down on illegal immigration consultants

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- With changes in immigration, law officials say there are scam artists ready to prey on those looking for help to get legal residence.

"We know that when that happens dreams are dashed. Money is lost and we need to do better," said Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer.

Feuer says his department will crack down on illegal immigration consultants. The issue is that in Hispanic countries, a notary, or notario, is someone who is authorized to give legal advice. But that is not so here in the United States. Many immigrants don't know that, and some people exploit that.

"One case we had the consultant offered an expedited process, to process the documents as long as the consumer paid an extra $5,000. So we had hundreds of victims," said Rigo Reynoso with the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs.

City Councilman Jose Huizar says this exact situation happened to him.

"There was a notary public at that time. I went in, I put in my papers, I went back a couple of months later and that person was gone," he said. "It's very easy for any of us to be a victim of fraud."

Officials want people to know there are places to go for free legal help.

"There's a lot at stake with these forms, obviously which is why someone might be inclined to turn to a notario, or an immigration consultant. They ought not turn to them. Let them turn instead to legitimate providers of these services," said Feuer.

Officials say scam artists will be charged with unlawful business practices and possibly grand theft. They could get up to a year in jail.