Scammers posing as lawyers and legal representatives stole thousands of dollars from Tulsa-area immigrants seeking help with their cases, Tulsa police say.

Detective Giovanni De La Paz of the Tulsa Police Department's Financial Crimes Unit told the Tulsa Flyer he has investigated two fraud cases targeting immigrants. He is urging residents to verify any attorney's credentials before paying for legal services.

In one case, a Spanish-speaking interpreter in Tulsa pretended to represent an attorney and collected money from families whose relatives were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The attorney had no knowledge of the scheme, De La Paz said. He said the interpreter had about 15 victims and collected close to $25,000. Police could reach only five. Some victims had already been deported.

That case has been referred to the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office to determine whether charges will be filed. De La Paz did not name the interpreter or the attorney.

In a separate case, six members of one household drove to Dallas to meet with a notary who claimed to be a lawyer. De La Paz said the notaries appeared to promise help obtaining U visas, a federal immigration status available to certain crime victims who have suffered abuse and are cooperating with law enforcement, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The victims paid thousands of dollars, but no application was ever filed.

"They just have to be careful with who they trust with their money just 'cause they're scammers everywhere," De La Paz said.

Deputy Mayor Krystal Reyes said police notified her about the U visa fraud case. She said the schemes exploit a cultural gap: in many Latin American countries, a "notario" is a highly trained legal professional, while in the United States a notary public holds no such authority.

Reyes recommended residents verify a lawyer's license through the Oklahoma Bar Association at okbar.org or by calling 405-416-7000. The American Immigration Lawyers Association at aila.org also maintains a directory of vetted immigration attorneys, she said.

De La Paz said similar fraud cases have surfaced in Dallas and Oklahoma City.

Residents who suspect fraud can file a report on the Tulsa Police Department's website or report an attorney to the Oklahoma Bar Association.