The defendant is accused of pretending to be a lawyer, with authorities finding thousands of applications and seizing $425,000 from their home.
A woman from Queens has been indicted by a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York task force for allegedly defrauding 10 individuals out of $73,000. The woman had promised to enhance their immigration status, but instead, she deceived them.
Windella Sanderson Wells, a 54-year-old resident of Queens, faced an arraignment on July 31 before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Raymond Bruce. The 44-count indictment charged her with various crimes, including 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 an attorney-at-law without proper credentials, and first-degree falsifying business records. Following the arraignment, the defendant was placed on supervised release and is scheduled to return to court on 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.’ 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.”
During the early morning hours of July 31, law enforcement officials carried out an arrest and search warrant at the defendant’s residence. This operation resulted in the confiscation of a substantial amount of evidence, including a staggering $425,000 in cash and numerous client applications.
In February 2023, HSI New York and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services brought this matter to the attention of the Bronx District Attorney’s Financial Frauds Bureau. The investigation revealed that the defendant specifically targeted individuals from the Guyanese, Jamaican, and Haitian communities. From September 1, 2019, to May 1, 2023, Wells purportedly posed as a licensed attorney and accredited immigration preparer, falsely claiming to have extensive experience in assisting undocumented immigrants. She made promises to her victims that she would ensure the approval of their applications and instructed them to sign the necessary documents.
The defendant is accused of charging exorbitant fees of varying amounts. In one instance, she reportedly demanded and received $22,000 in cash. It is alleged that she took a total of $73,000 from 10 individuals. Furthermore, all the applications she submitted were ultimately rejected.
HSI conducted its investigation through its specialized investigative group called the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force. This task force is made up of personnel from different state, local, and federal agencies who have expertise in identifying, preventing, and dismantling organizations and individuals engaged in various forms of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes.
Arvelo praised the exceptional collaboration between U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor.
“The Bronx District Attorney, Darcel D. Clark, expressed concern over the defendant’s alleged targeting of vulnerable members of our undocumented community. These individuals, who were merely seeking to secure legal employment and support their families, had their American dreams shattered by the defendant’s alleged exploitation. It is a truly distressing situation.”
If you believe that you have been victimized by this defendant, we strongly encourage you to contact the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP.
