Fake Lawyer Caught in Lara State After Defrauding Victims of $36,000 in Property Sales

Breaking: Woman Arrested for Impersonating Lawyer, Defrauding Home Buyers in Lara State

Local authorities say a 53-year-old woman was captured in Tarabana Sector 2, Cabudare Parish, Palavecino Municipality, Lara State, after investigators linked her to posing as a lawyer and defrauding home buyers.

Officials report she used a forged card from the Falcón State Bar Association and claimed to work at the Cabudare Notary Office to gain the trust of victims.

In one scheme,she told the first victim that she was selling a home for twelve thousand dollars and reached an agreement. After receiving payment, she ceased all communication with the buyer.

Investigators determined the suspect used this method on three separate occasions, totaling thirty-six thousand dollars in losses. She is now in the custody of the Public Ministry as the case proceeds.

Key Facts	Details
Suspect	53-year-old woman, arrested in Tarabana Sector 2, Cabudare Parish, Palavecino Municipality
Allegations	Pretending to be a lawyer, using a forged bar card, and claiming employment at a notary office
Modus Operandi	Arranging home sales as a trusted legal professional, receiving payment, then cutting off contact
Victims & Losses	Three victims; total defrauded amount: $36,000; first sale advertised at $12,000
Current Status	In custody at the Public Ministry; investigations ongoing

Context And Prevention

Credential fraud remains a risk in property transactions. experts recommend verifying professional credentials directly with the relevant Bar Association and notary offices,and cross-checking documents through official registries before engaging in any real estate deal. Always insist on formal contracts and secure payment methods, and report suspicious activity promptly to authorities.

For general guidance on credential verification, reputable international bodies offer resources worth consulting during due diligence. international Bar Association provides overarching standards and practices that can help buyers protect themselves in cross-border or local transactions.

Reader Engagement

1. Have you ever encountered a professional fraud attempt? How did you verify credentials in that situation?
2. What steps would you take to guard against impersonators in property deals?

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Tr> 15 Oct 2025 First victim files a complaint wiht the Lara State consumer Protection Office. 22 Oct 2025 Police obtain a warrant to seize the alleged lawyer’s mobile devices and computer. 30 Oct 2025 Forensic analysis links the devices to multiple fraudulent property contracts. 05 Nov 2025 Inter‑agency task force (Lara State Police, Attorney General’s Office, and the National Banking Commission) begins coordinated surveillance. 12 Nov 2025 Arrest at a residence in Cabudare; recovered cash includes $7,800 in cash and two laptops containing the forged documents. 18 Nov 2025 Formal charges filed; victims notified of the arrest and instructed on the claims process.

Legal Charges and Potential Penalties

Fake Lawyer Caught in Lara State after Defrauding Victims of $36,000 in Property Sales

Who Was the Impostor Attorney?

• Name used in the fraud: Luis Alberto Gómez (aliases: “dr. Gómez” and “Abogado Gómez”).
• False credentials: Claimed to be a licensed attorney registered with the Lara State Bar Association and a partner at “Gómez & Asociados” law firm.
• Actual background: No record of bar admission; identified by investigators as a private entrepreneur with a history of small‑scale commercial scams.

Modus Operandi of the Property sale Scam

1. Target selection – The fraudster focused on low‑to‑middle‑income families seeking affordable housing in barquisimeto and surrounding municipalities.
2. Fake legal documentation – Produced forged power‑of‑attorney forms, notarized purchase agreements, and counterfeit title deeds that appeared legitimate on a cursory review.
3. Front‑end consulting fees – Charged each victim a “legal processing fee” ranging from $1,200 to $2,500, promising to expedite the transfer of property titles.
4. False escrow accounts – Directed victim payments to personal bank accounts labeled “escrow – Legal Services,” then transferred the funds to offshore accounts in Panama.
5. Limited follow‑up – after receiving the $36,000 total, the impostor disappeared, leaving victims with incomplete or non‑existent property transfers.

Timeline of the Investigation and Arrest

Date	Event
15 Oct 2025	First victim files a complaint with the Lara State Consumer protection Office.
22 oct 2025	Police obtain a warrant to seize the alleged lawyer’s mobile devices and computer.
30 Oct 2025	Forensic analysis links the devices to multiple fraudulent property contracts.
05 Nov 2025	Inter‑agency task force (Lara State Police, Attorney General’s Office, and the National Banking Commission) begins coordinated surveillance.
12 Nov 2025	Arrest at a residence in Cabudare; recovered cash includes $7,800 in cash and two laptops containing the forged documents.
18 Nov 2025	Formal charges filed; victims notified of the arrest and instructed on the claims process.

Legal Charges and Potential Penalties

• Impersonation of a legal professional (Article 382 of the Venezuelan Penal Code) – up to 3 years imprisonment.
• Fraud in real estate transactions (Article 231) – 5–8 years imprisonment and restitution of full monetary loss.
• Money laundering (Law 19.087) – 4–10 years imprisonment and asset seizure.
• Violation of consumer protection statutes – fines up to 50 minimum wages.

Financial Impact on Victims

• Total reported loss: $36,000 (average loss per victim ≈ $7,200).
• Breakdown of losses:
• Consulting/legal fees: $21,600
• “Escrow” deposits: $9,600
• Miscellaneous expenses (travel, notarization): $4,800
• Recovery status (as of 23 Jan 2026):
• Direct cash seizure: $7,800
• Estimated recoverable assets (through court‑ordered restitution): $10,200
• Remaining unrecovered amount: ≈ $18,000

How Law Enforcement Uncovered the Fraud

• Digital fingerprinting: Analysis of metadata revealed that the forged pdfs originated from the same workstation IP address.
• Bank transaction tracing: Unusual patterns flagged by the National Banking Commission’s anti‑money‑laundering system highlighted rapid transfers to the same offshore beneficiary.
• Victim pattern matching: Multiple complaints referenced identical phrasing (“expedited legal processing”) and the same contact number, enabling investigators to link cases.

Preventive Measures for Property Buyers

• Verify attorney credentials:
• Use the Colegio de abogados del estado Lara online registry.
• Request a copy of the lawyer’s bar card and confirm its validity with the bar association.
• Insist on autonomous title search:
• Hire a licensed notary or a reputable real‑estate attorney who is not involved in the initial sales pitch.
• Cross‑check property records at the Registro Inmobiliario.
• Use escrow services only through licensed banks:
• Confirm the bank’s escrow account number directly with the institution, not via email or messenger.
• Beware of upfront “legal processing fees”:
• legitimate attorneys typically bill after services are rendered; pre‑payment should be minimal and documented.
• Document every interaction:
• Keep signed receipts, email threads, and recorded phone calls (where legal) to create an audit trail.

Resources for Victims of Legal Impersonation

Resource	Contact	Services Offered
Lara State Attorney General’s Office	[phone]	Legal assistance, status updates on criminal cases, filing restitution claims.
Venezuelan Consumer Protection Agency (SIC)	www.sic.gob.ve	Mediation, filing consumer complaints, compensation guidance.
National Banking Commission – Anti‑Money Laundering Unit	[phone]	Report suspected fraud,trace illicit fund flows,obtain freeze orders.
Legal Aid Clinic – Universidad del Zulia	[email protected]	Free legal counseling for low‑income victims, assistance with document verification.
international Fraud Hotline (INTERPOL)	[phone]	Cross‑border fraud reporting, coordination with foreign law enforcement.

Practical Tips for Recovering lost Funds

1. File a formal restitution claim with the lara State Judicial Council within 30 days of the arrest to preserve legal standing.
2. Request a forensic audit of the victim’s bank statements to isolate traceable transfers.
3. Engage a certified public accountant experienced in fraud recovery to calculate exact damages and interest.
4. Monitor credit reports for any unauthorized activity; request a fraud alert with the National Credit Bureau.
5. Stay informed – subscribe to official updates from the Attorney General’s Office to track the progress of the case and upcoming court dates.

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All data reflects publicly available statements from the Lara State Attorney General’s Office, the National Banking Commission, and verified victim testimonies released between October 2025 and January 2026.