Man fearing deportation pays woman $100,000 in extortion scheme, California cops say
A man fearing deportation paid a woman $100,000 in an extortion scheme, California deputies say.
Riverside County deputies got a report March 4 about a man who had paid over $100,000 to a woman in the city of Rancho Mirage, the sheriff’s office said in a March 26 news release.
The woman told the man to pay the requested money or she would have him deported, deputies said.
Through an investigation, deputies said they identified a 43-year-old Hemet woman, Yvette Lopez, as a suspect.
Deputies said they booked the woman into custody on March 25.
A 67-year-old Hemet woman, Bertha Gasso, who deputies say was an accomplice, was also booked into jail.
Each is facing “multiple theft-related charges, including extortion,” deputies said.
Given the amount of money involved, deputies said they will ask the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office to seek “a formal ‘White Collar’ crime enhancement.”
“Extortion is a serious crime, and no one should be made to feel fearful or pressured into giving up their hard-earned money,” deputies said.
Both women were scheduled to appear in court March 27, jail records show.
Rancho Mirage is about a 120-mile drive southeast from Los Angeles.
This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 3:17 PM with the headline "Man fearing deportation pays woman $100,000 in extortion scheme, California cops say."
