Oswaldo Rafael Cabrera, owner and operator of immigration services business Coalicion Latinoamericana Internacional (CLI), was sentenced to prison for five years and two months for defrauding immigrants. Cabrera pleaded guilty to three felony counts (grand theft, attempted perjury, and conspiracy to violate the California Immigration Consultants Act) on Wednesday in Los Angeles.

The actions were a result of a criminal action filed by the California Attorney General’s Office, following an investigation by the County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) and other agencies.

“Now more than ever it is imperative that we protect the most vulnerable of Los Angeles County’s residents,” said DCBA Director Brian J. Stiger. “No resident deserves to be deceived and swindled by fraudulent immigration services operators.”

If you paid Mr. Cabrera or CLI for immigration services and think you might be a victim of fraud, please contact the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at (323) 881-7099.

Cabrera’s wife, Maria Marcelina Rodas, pleaded guilty to one felony count (conspiracy to violate the Immigration Consultants Act) and was sentenced to three years of formal probation with an 18-month suspended custody providing she complies with the probation terms. This forbids her from working or assisting others who work in immigration services.

Cabrera was initially charged with 22 counts of grand theft, attempted grand theft, attempted perjury, and conspiracy to engage in the unlawful practice of law in December 2016. As more victims came forward, Cabrera was charged with an additional 36 felony counts. The investigation found that Cabrera posed as an attorney and provided legal consultations and services, charging up to $9,000, but either failed to provide the promised services, or provided services that harmed the consumers’ immigration cases.

DCBA recommends that consumers who need assistance with their immigration cases contact a non-profit legal aid organization, a non-profit organization accredited by Federal Board of Immigration Appeals, or a licensed attorney that specializes in immigration law.

Since 1976, the County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) has served consumers, businesses, and communities through education, advocacy, and complaint resolution. We work to educate consumers and small business owners about their rights and responsibilities, mediate disputes, investigate consumer fraud complaints, and enforce Los Angeles County’s minimum wage ordinance. For more information, visit dcba.lacounty.gov