The police in Hialeah announced the arrest of a 49-year-old Cuban identified as Rafael Moreno, accused of posing as an immigration attorney without a license to practice.
Moreno would have offered legal services from an office on Palm Avenue, where he charged for immigration procedures despite being legally prohibited from practicing as an attorney in Florida.
The origin of the deceit: A card sold for 500 dollars
The investigation began after the report from a woman who traveled from Alabama seeking help for her husband's asylum application.
The victim had received Moreno's business card through a relative, who bought it for 500 dollars at a supermarket from a stranger who recommended him as a licensed attorney.
Believing in the legitimacy of the contact, the woman went to Moreno's office, where he introduced himself as a lawyer with 15 years of experience and charged her $170.
During the appointment, Moreno prepared and notarized immigration documents without the presence of the victim's husband, a discrepancy that raised her concerns. Additionally, he instructed her to return in September with another 450 dollars to continue the process.
The complaint and the undercover operation
On April 7th, the woman filed a complaint with the Hialeah police, which led to the verification of Moreno's legal status.
Authorities confirmed that he did not have an active license to practice and that the Florida Supreme Court had imposed a permanent injunction on him since December 2024, prohibiting him from providing legal services.
Despite that order, Moreno continued to operate. On April 16, an undercover detective visited the office and received full legal assistance with an asylum application in exchange for 100 dollars.
The accused again claimed to be a lawyer, showed diplomas on the wall, and asserted that he had years of experience in immigration law.
Charges and legal consequences
Moreno was arrested on April 22 in his office. According to the police, he will face charges for practicing law without a license and for the illegal use of his notary commission.
He is also accused of certifying documents without the presence of the signatories, which constitutes a serious offense.
“Mr. Moreno was taking advantage of honorable people”, said Lieutenant Eddie Rodríguez, spokesperson for the Hialeah police, in a statement to Univision.
Call for caution and verification
The criminal defense attorney Andrés F. Vidal explained in statements to Telemundo 51 that “every attorney licensed to practice here in Florida has an assigned number by the Florida Bar,” and recommended always checking the official site www.floridabar.org before hiring any legal services.
He also warned that practicing without a license is a crime with serious consequences.
Moreno was released after paying a bail of $5,000, but he remains under judicial process.
Authorities urge any other potential victims to contact the Hialeah Police Department to continue the investigation.
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