Major Immigration Fraud Ring Busted in Orlando: Legacy Imigra Leaders Arrested for Scamming Hundreds
By Hotspotnews
Orlando, Florida – Authorities have dismantled a sophisticated immigration fraud operation that allegedly targeted vulnerable immigrants, mostly from Brazil, stealing more than $20 million over several years.
On April 22, 2026, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, working with Homeland Security Investigations and the Florida Attorney General’s Office, announced the arrests of four key individuals tied to Legacy Imigra, a business that posed as a professional immigration services agency.
The arrested suspects are:
- Vagner Soares de Almeida, 53, the founder and leader
- Juliana Colucci, 43, his wife
- Ronaldo Decampos, 34
- Lucas Felipe Trindade Silva, 34
They face multiple felony charges, including racketeering, organized fraud, extortion, and unauthorized practice of law.
According to officials, Legacy Imigra operated from an office in Orlando and promoted itself as a full-service immigration agency with supposed licensed attorneys on staff. They offered help with immigration and asylum claims, promising to assist undocumented immigrants in obtaining lawful status in the United States, including visas, work permits, and other regularization processes.
In reality, investigators found no licensed attorneys were involved. The group allegedly filed faulty or fraudulent applications, collected massive fees, and used aggressive tactics — including creating email accounts in victims’ names to intercept official documents and then withholding them unless clients paid extra money.
Sheriff John Mina described the operation as one that preyed on people “least able to defend themselves,” using lies, fraud, and intimidation. Individual losses ranged from $2,500 to $26,000, with at least seven confirmed victims so far. Authorities expect the total number of victims to reach into the hundreds, spanning multiple states.
This case has been described by federal partners as one of the largest immigration fraud operations they have investigated. The probe began after complaints from a legitimate immigration attorney and led to raids on the company’s offices.
Three of the suspects are currently held on immigration detainers, while others have bonds set at more than $200,000.
This bust serves as an important warning to immigrants: always verify that anyone offering immigration legal services is a licensed attorney or properly accredited representative. Fake “notarios” and fraudulent firms continue to exploit hopeful people seeking a better life in the United States.
Anyone who believes they were a victim of Legacy Imigra is encouraged to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at 407-836-4357 to report their case. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are actively seeking additional victims.
This version now directly includes what they offered (immigration and asylum claims + lawful status processes) while staying faithful to the official sheriff’s description. Let me know if you want any other tweaks!
