A 41-year-old undocumented immigrant named Yuriana Julia “Juli” Pelaez Calderon has been arrested for pretending she was kidnapped in a plan to collect money and falsely accuse U.S. immigration officers of abuse.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Calderon worked with others to stage a fake kidnapping in Los Angeles. On June 25, she was seen being taken by men with guns from a fast-food restaurant parking lot. These men, described as bounty hunters, acted like they were forcing her to return to her country. The goal of the plan was to trick people into believing that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was behind the incident.
Calderon’s family and lawyers even held a press conference claiming she was kidnapped and taken to San Ysidro, where she was pressured to sign deportation papers. They also said she was kept in a warehouse after refusing to sign.
Her daughter then created a GoFundMe page asking for $4,500 to help her mother. The story gained media attention, and many believed it was true.
However, federal officials launched an investigation and found no proof that ICE was involved. Calderon was found on July 5 in a shopping center parking lot in Bakersfield. Video footage showed she had willingly left the restaurant and got into a car on her own. Her phone records also showed the story was made up.
Officials say Calderon and her family had even planned a second press conference and created fake photos showing abuse to raise more money before the hoax was discovered.
Read more: What Is America’s U Visa Program and Why It’s Being Criticized by US Immigration Authorities
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Calderon’s actions were dangerous and wasted government resources that could have been used to catch real criminals. They also criticized media outlets and public figures who believed and spread the false story without checking the facts.
GoFundMe removed the fundraising page and returned the $80 that had been donated. They said they have a zero-tolerance policy for fake fundraisers.
If found guilty, Calderon could face up to five years in prison for each crime. Authorities also mentioned that others involved in the plan may be punished too.
