Miami pastor sent migrants to fake lawyer in a money scheme, deputies say
.png "A Miami-Dade pastor, at Iglesia De Dios Evangelio Completo Jireh, and an accomplice scammed migrants seeking an immigration lawyer, stealing $21K through fraud, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies said.")
A Miami-Dade pastor and a friend posing as a lawyer spent a year giving false hope to migrants in an immigration scheme that scammed them out of their money, deputies said.
The pastor and the fake lawyer then splurged on international trips and Gucci bags, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
Their alleged fraud ended earlier this year, and both were arrested on Thursday.
Nelson David Ochoa-Vasquez, a pastor at Iglesia De Dios Evangelio Completo Jireh in Kendall, and Ismer Gonzalez were charged with organized fraud and grand theft. Gonzalez was also charged with practicing law without a license, records show.
In April 2024, Ochoa-Vasquez, 46, came up with the scheme to defraud at least 16 migrants, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said. He used his church to find and introduce them to Gonzalez, who claimed he was an immigration attorney, authorities said.
Gonzalez, 44, would take their driver’s licenses and work permits as part of the ruse, while he also instructed them to make electronic or cash payments — he pocketed the electronic funds and sent the cash to Ochoa-Vasquez, an arrest report reads.
From April to January 2025, they racked up $21,000 through their scheme, according to the sheriff’s report.
Neither Gonzalez nor Ochoa-Vasquez is an immigration attorney, deputies said, and the pair did not provide any of the services they promised to the migrants or hand out refunds.
Instead, they used the money to travel to South America and Europe, according to the sheriff’s office report. They also went on shopping trips and bought high-end merchandise from Gucci, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Bottega Veneta and Fendi.
“Ultimately, the fraudulent scheme was facilitated by Pastor Ochoa-Vasquez’s exploitation of the trust and faith of vulnerable victims,” the report said. Ochoa-Vasquez and Gonzalez “were able to deceive and manipulate victims seeking legitimate aid during a challenging time.”
On Thursday, Ochoa-Vasquez was arrested and taken in for questioning. Deputies said he told them that he was working for Gonzalez, completing work permit forms for clients, and in return getting cash payments. Authorities noted there were “multiple irregularities” in his story.
Gonzalez was also arrested that day on Florida’s Turnpike, but chose not to speak to detectives, deputies said.
As of Friday, both men remained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center near Doral.
Detectives said they believe the men preyed upon more people and are asking anyone with information to come forward. An anonymous tip can be given to Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
This story was originally published August 1, 2025 at 1:44 PM.
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