What looked like a bustling immigration law office in Orlando was, according to deputies, a long-running scam that preyed on hopeful newcomers. Orange County investigators say the founder of Legacy Imigra and three associates posed as legal pros, taking thousands of dollars up front from clients, many originally from Brazil, for immigration help that never actually arrived. When cases stalled, or paperwork went missing, victims were allegedly squeezed for even more cash, and authorities say the operation ultimately raked in millions while using clients’ own documents as leverage.
Who was arrested and what they are charged with
Deputies arrested founder Vagner Soares De Almeida, his wife Juliana Colucci, and associates Ronaldo Decampos and Trindade Silva on Wednesday. All four were booked on charges that include racketeering, organized fraud, extortion, and the unauthorized practice of law, according to WFTV.
How investigators say the scheme worked
Authorities say Legacy Imigra sold itself as a full-service immigration firm, complete with attorneys ready to navigate the system, but investigators say they found no licensed immigration lawyers actually handling the cases. Instead, staff allegedly created email accounts in clients’ names so that official immigration notices would be routed to the firm, not the people whose futures were on the line. From there, according to investigators, employees withheld paperwork, including work-authorization documents, and demanded additional fees to release them. Officials say victims lost anywhere from about $2,500 to $26,000 each, and that the organization brought in more than $20 million from what could be hundreds of victims spread across several states, per WESH.
Who led the investigation
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office says it led the local side of the investigation, working with Homeland Security Investigations and the Florida Attorney General’s Office. The four suspects were taken into custody and booked into the Orange County Jail, where authorities say bond for each defendant was set at more than $200,000, according to WFTV.
Company records and consumer complaints
State records show Legacy Imigra registered as Legacy Imigra Solutions LLC with an Orlando business address, according to public filings maintained by the Florida Division of Corporations. The company also drew consumer complaints on its local Better Business Bureau profile, where clients described missed filings, withheld documents, and pressure for extra payments, mirroring the pattern investigators now allege, per the BBB.
What victims and community members should know
Authorities are urging anyone who believes they were caught up in the alleged scheme to hold onto every scrap of paperwork they have, including receipts, contracts, and all texts or emails with the firm, and to contact investigators. Federal and agency resources outline how to spot and report immigration service scams; USCIS offers guidance for identifying fraud, and suspected criminal activity can be reported to Homeland Security Investigations through the ICE tip form or the agency tip line. Local reporting channels and qualified legal help, including reaching out to the Florida Bar or a Department of Justice-accredited representative, can also help victims figure out their next steps. Investigators have said some of the people now under arrest may themselves be in the country without authorization, according to reporting by WESH.
