The United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said on Monday that a New York task force investigation has resulted in the indictment of a Queens woman for allegedly defrauding 10 Caribbean nationals out of US$73,000 by promising to improve their immigration status.
HSI said Windella Sanderson Wells, 54, was arraigned July 31 before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Raymond Bruce on a 44-count indictment charging first-degree scheme to defraud, second-degree grand larceny, third-degree grand larceny, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, third-degree unlawful possession of personal information, practicing or appearing as attorney-at-law without being admitted and first-degree falsifying business records.
HSI said Wells was placed on supervised release and is due back in court November 1.
“As alleged, Windella Sanderson Wells posed as an attorney and targeted a growing number of Caribbean victims, whom she deceived into paying thousands of dollars for services that were never rendered as promised,” said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo.
“The defendant is accused of joining a growing population of criminals committing what has been dubbed a ‘dream scam’”, Arvelo added. “She allegedly preyed upon individuals who were seeking to legitimately undergo the immigration process, and, in turn, exploited their pursuits of the American dream.
“HSI New York’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force is unwavering in its dedication to protecting all New Yorkers, especially the most vulnerable,” Arvelo continued.
HIS said an arrest and search warrant executed early July 31 at Wells’ home resulted in the seizure of US$425,000 in cash, along with thousands of client applications.
According to the investigation, in February 2023, HSI New York and US Citizenship and Immigration Services referred this matter to the Bronx District Attorney’s Financial Frauds Bureau.
HSI said Wells allegedly targeted nationals from the Guyanese, Jamaican and Haitian communities.
Between Sept. 1, 2019, and May 1, 2023, HSI said Wells allegedly posed as a licensed attorney and accredited immigration preparer, claiming she was experienced in assisting undocumented immigrants.
She promised her victims she would get their applications approved and directed them to sign the documents, HSI said.
It said Wells allegedly collected exorbitant fees varying in amount. In one case, she demanded and received US$22,000 in cash, HSI said.
It said she allegedly took a total of US$73,000 from 10 people, and that all the applications she filed were rejected.
“The defendant allegedly preyed upon vulnerable members of our undocumented community — men and women who were simply seeking to legally work and provide for their families,” Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said. “The defendant’s alleged exploitation turned their American dreams into a nightmare.”
