Imposters target immigrants in NC in Catholic Charities scam as Manhattan DA criticizes Meta

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has become the latest prosecutor to publicly criticize Meta, the parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp, accusing it of failing to adequately protect users from online scams.

One such scam has reached North Carolina, where criminals are impersonating Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh to defraud immigrants seeking legal help.

Scammers have created fake Facebook pages and WhatsApp accounts posing as Catholic Charities, promising pro bono immigration legal services. Instead, they pressure victims into paying fees and then disappear with the money, according to the organization.

"This is very hurtful," said Consuelo Kwee, director of immigration legal services for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh. "It's very sad to hear the stories of these people, and it also makes us very angry because our community feels so vulnerable."

Kwee said clients have lost thousands of dollars as scammers exploit the trust of immigrants who are often unfamiliar with the legal system and fearful of deportation.

"We have received a lot of calls from people believing that we have their immigration case," she said. "In reality, they are being targeted by scammers."

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According to Catholic Charities, the fraudulent schemes often involve public social media pages that appear legitimate, using official logos, real staff names and documents that closely resemble authentic paperwork. The scammers then move conversations to WhatsApp, where they pretend to be immigration attorneys.

Victims are often threatened with deportation or other legal consequences unless they pay quickly. Scammers typically request money through hard-to-trace payment platforms such as Venmo or Cash App.

Advocates warn that the financial impact can be devastating, leaving some victims in debt and without legitimate legal representation.

Catholic Charities emphasized that it does not communicate with clients via WhatsApp and never requests payment through peer-to-peer payment apps.

"If someone believes they have been a victim of a scam, they should contact local authorities and reach out directly to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh," Kwee said. "It's also important to communicate with neighbors and community members so others are aware this is happening."

The organization encourages anyone seeking immigration assistance to verify services directly through its official website or office before sharing personal information or money.

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