Latino Pastor and Fake Lawyer Used Church to Scam Immigrant Families

Latino Pastor and Fake Lawyer Used Church to Scam Immigrant Families
(Left to right: Nelson David Ochoa Vásquez and Ismier González) Credit: YouTube

A man who once stood behind a pulpit now stands accused of exploiting the same people who trusted him. In Miami, Florida, authorities have charged Nelson David Ochoa Vásquez, Latino pastor of Iglesia de Dios Jireh, and Ismier González, a man accused of posing as an immigration attorney, with organizing a scheme that used the pastor’s religious position to lure vulnerable immigrants into paying for legal services that were never delivered. Investigators say the pair used the money to fund a lifestyle of designer clothes and international travel.

Immigration Dreams Turned Into a Cash Pipeline

According to Univision, between April 2024 and January 2025, at least sixteen victims seeking immigration help were introduced by Pastor Ochoa Vásquez to González. The arrangement appeared credible to many who relied on the pastor’s guidance and believed the referrals to be legitimate. Instead, they found themselves paying through Zelle and in cash to secure work permits and driver’s licenses that never materialized.

Authorities reported that electronic payments were funneled into an account under Brothers Multiservicio LLC, while in-person transactions were allegedly handled directly by Ochoa Vásquez himself. The total amount collected during this period reached approximately twenty one thousand dollars. The victims never received documentation, support, or their money back.

From the Church Office to Luxury Boutiques

Police said that the funds collected from victims did not remain within the confines of any legal or charitable purpose. Instead, the money was reportedly used for luxury purchases at designer brands including Gucci, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Bottega Veneta, and Fendi. Some of the funds also financed trips to South America and Europe.

This alleged misuse of church influence and personal trust led to a deeper concern raised by detectives. They reported that the fraud succeeded precisely because the victims were guided to trust González through the social and spiritual authority held by Ochoa Vásquez. By presenting González as a licensed immigration professional, the pastor enabled access to a group of people already navigating uncertainty and hardship.

Charges Filed Against Latino Pastor and a Search for More Victims Continue

Ochoa Vásquez now faces charges related to organized fraud involving amounts between twenty and fifty thousand dollars, as well as second degree grand theft for amounts exceeding twenty thousand. González has been charged with impersonating a licensed attorney, participating in organized fraud, and second degree grand theft.

Detectives suspect there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. Officials are encouraging anyone with information to contact the Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers line. Callers may remain anonymous.

The investigation, which authorities have referred to as Operation Stolen Dream, continues to develop as more evidence surfaces and the community grapples with the consequences of betrayal within what was once considered a place of safety.

For everyone else, this is a cautionary tale. Please be careful out there. Not everyone is genuine and wants to help. That said, always get second opinions.

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