An Upper West Side woman has been indicted for pocketing immigration application fees for her own personal use, Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg has announced.
Analie Vargas, a 34-year-old who according to public records lives on West 103rd Street, had a job from October 2019 to November 2023 as a case manager at “Divorce Filers, a lower-Manhattan firm that offered services for filing immigration-related applications and divorces,” according to a May 15 press release from the D.A.’s office.
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During that time, she would ask clients to make out checks for immigration application fees to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and turn them over to her, at which point she would deposit them into her own bank account while sometimes changing the recipient name to “Analie Vargas.”
When clients followed up about their application status, Vargas would avoid their calls and emails.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=”18″]“On the rare occasion that victims were able to reach VARGAS, she told them that their applications were delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic or offer other excuses. In some instances, VARGAS even sent letters that purported to be from USCIS, directing the victims to appear for immigration status appointments. However, when the victims showed up for those appointments, they discovered that they did not have an interview scheduled or any legal representative to assist them. None of the victims, who have a variety of national origins, had immigration applications filed on their behalf.”
[/perfectpullquote]Vargas deposited at least $17,000 of this money into her own bank account, using the funds for restaurants, travel, and other personal expenses.
“Analie Vargas allegedly preyed on hopeful New Yorkers of all backgrounds who trusted her to help them apply for permanent residence. Instead of filing their applications with the fees they provided, she allegedly pocketed the money for herself, spending it on food, travel, and other personal expenses,” said District Attorney Bragg.
Vargas’ charges include Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree.
