Fake attorney swindles thousands from Filipino immigrants, California State Bar says

A woman posing as an attorney stole thousands of dollars from Filipino immigrants for bogus legal advice, the California State Bar reported.

The offices and practice of Salve Esperanza, doing business as Prestige Network Resource Consulting, Inc., have been seized, the organization said in a Dec. 10 news release.

Esperanza has never been licensed to practice law in California, the bar said.

Two clients told investigators she never provided meaningful legal services despite charging each more than $10,000 on immigration matters, the bar said.

She also advised them to work for a specific employer to earn green cards, then failed to file the proper paperwork, the bar said. Esperanza is accused of collaborating with the employer.

Investigators found Esperanza filed numerous fraudulent filings to the immigration service, the bar said.

The Superior Court of Los Angeles County authorized the bar to seize her office and practice, officials said.

Investigators seized 30 boxes of files and five computers, the bar said. Clients or former clients should call 213-765-1581 to retrieve their files.

This story was originally published December 12, 2024 at 10:14 AM with the headline "Fake attorney swindles thousands from Filipino immigrants, California State Bar says."