Fake attorney’s practice in LA seized for swindling Filipino immigrants

The California State Bar has seized the offices of Salve Esperanza, who was allegedly posing as an attorney in Los Angeles and swindling Filipino immigrants.

Esperanza’s offices, doing business as Prestige Network Resource Consulting, exploited her clients ­– many of them Filipino immigrants – charging them thousands of dollars for fraudulent immigration services, according to State Bar officials.

The officials said they retrieved 30 boxes of client files and five computers as evidence of unauthorized practice of law.

“In one case, a client from the Philippines who thought Esperanza was an attorney paid her more than $11,000 in November 2019 for her assistance to establish US residency for him and his wife,” the officials said in a news release.

“Esperanza assured the client that she had assisted many Filipinos in securing their legal status and that she would handle all necessary filings with US Citizenship and Immigration Services.” 

Esperanza advised the couple to enroll in a Los Angeles university to secure student visas and also told them to work at a specific employer.  

Fake attorney swindles thousands from Filipino immigrants, California State Bar says https://t.co/YOtNmOZcmn

— The Sacramento Bee (@sacbee_news) December 12, 2024

“The couple did both; however, after nine months of inaction, the man learned that his case had been denied because Esperanza failed to submit critical documents,” the officials said.

“The client stated that he believed Esperanza’s actions were with the intent to exploit him and his wife as employees.”

Another client and his wife paid around $12,000 for Esperanza’s services between 2019 and 2022, which included filing a Green Card application. They were also advised to work at the same employer that would sponsor their work visa. 

“Despite repeated assurances, Esperanza failed to file the required immigration documents, lied when she told the client that his employment authorization document arrived and then when he arrived to pick it up, said it went to the wrong address,” according to the State Bar. 

“She also misled the couple on timelines, stating the employer wanted Esperanza to delay their Green Card applications for three years.”  

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Chief Trial Counsel George Cardona said Esperanza exploited clients who were seeking lawful immigration status, “taking their money and jeopardizing their futures.”

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the public from fraudulent actors such as (Esperanza),” Cardona said.

The State Bar advises Esperanza’s other victims to come forward and file a complaint using their free online form in multiple languages, including Tagalog.

The State Bar advises immigrants to avoid becoming a fraud victim by checking their list of those who have received Cease and Desist notices for unauthorized legal practice.