A Miami pastor is facing felony charges after authorities say he and an unlicensed immigration attorney defrauded victims out of tens of thousands of dollars.  

Nelson David Ochoa Vazquez and Ismer Gonzalez were arrested on July 31, following a months-long investigation, CBS News reports.

According to Miami-Dade Police detectives, the men allegedly defrauded people between April 18, 2024, and January 18, 2025. Authorities say Ochoa Vazquez used his church, La Iglesia de Dios Jireh, to connect people with Gonzalez.  Gonzalez promised to help people obtain driver’s licenses and work permits.

“The preliminary investigation revealed that … Ochoa-Vasquez, who is a pastor … used his position to introduce unsuspecting victims, who are immigrants seeking legal guidance, to an attorney,” Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. “He would knowingly set them up to use the services of Mr. Ismer Gonzalez, who falsely claimed to be an immigration attorney. As a result, the victims paid the subjects for immigration services and incurred an approximate loss of $21,000.00.”

The victims allegedly paid a company called Brothers Multiservicio LLC, registered to Gonzalez, via Zelle. Meanwhile, cash payments were made directly to Ochoa Vazquez, CBS reports. The victims reportedly did not receive any of the services they were promised.

Instead, detectives say the money the men collected was spent on luxury brands, such as Gucci, Dior, and Louis Vuitton. They also reportedly traveled to South America and Europe.

It’s unclear how many people fell victim to the fraud scheme, but authorities believe there are additional victims and are asking people to come forward.

Both men are facing second-degree felony charges that include organized fraud and grand theft.

If convicted, they face up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for the organized fraud. In Florida, Grand Theft in the second degree, as defined by Florida Statute 812.014, is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.