In a twist that sounds more like the plot of a Netflix crime drama than real life, a woman in California is now facing serious federal charges after allegedly faking her own kidnapping by immigration agents.
Authorities say it was all part of a plot to collect donation money through a GoFundMe page.
Who Is Yuriana Calderon and What Happened?
The woman at the center of it all is 41-year-old Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon.
She’s an undocumented immigrant from Mexico living in Los Angeles.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Calderon staged her own abduction and then used the fake story to rally support and raise funds online.
Back on June 30, her family and lawyers held a public press conference where they claimed she had been snatched by armed men in two unmarked trucks at a Jack in the Box parking lot in downtown L.A.
They insisted that she was taken to San Ysidro, near the Mexico border, and was pressured by ICE agents to sign “voluntary self-deportation” paperwork.
The Alleged Story Goes Even Further
Her family said she refused to sign and was punished for it — allegedly being locked in a warehouse.
At the press conference, her supporters held emotional signs like “Our mom is missing” and “Where is Yuli?”
Shortly after the story caught media attention, the family created a GoFundMe page asking for $4,500 to help with legal fees and support.
But that page has since been removed.
Homeland Security Calls It All a Hoax
The Department of Homeland Security didn’t just sit back and watch.
They took the kidnapping claims seriously — at first. ICE agents even launched a search, combing through detention centers to locate her.
But on July 5, Calderon was found — not in a detention facility or warehouse, but in a parking lot in Bakersfield.
When questioned, she reportedly stuck to her story, saying she’d been held with others.
However, video surveillance from the Jack in the Box lot told a different tale.
The footage showed Calderon walking away freely and getting into a sedan — no armed men, no trucks, and definitely no kidnapping.
Phone records backed that up, confirming it was all a sham.
The Fake Rescue and Staged Photos
Even after she was found, officials say her family kept pushing the hoax.
They reportedly faked photos showing Calderon being “rescued,” trying to make it look like ICE agents mistreated her.
Authorities say the family even planned a second press conference on July 6 and were ready to ask for more money — until DHS shut them down.
The Government’s Harsh Response
In a blunt statement, DHS made their position crystal clear: “Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon was never arrested or kidnapped by ICE or bounty hunters.”
They called her a “criminal illegal alien” who scammed generous Americans and wasted critical law enforcement resources.
They also criticized the media and politicians who ran with the story without verifying facts.
“They should be embarrassed,” the agency added.
Federal Charges and What’s Next
Now Calderon is facing serious consequences. She’s been charged with conspiracy and lying to federal agents.
If convicted, she could be looking at up to five years in federal prison for each charge.
Officials say other people involved may also face charges.
GoFundMe Responds and Refunds Donations
GoFundMe confirmed that the campaign violated their rules. The page raised just $80 before being taken down.
None of that money made it to the organizers — GoFundMe refunded every donation.
In their statement, the platform said, “We have zero tolerance for misuse or any attempt to exploit the generosity of others.”
They’ve also pledged to fully cooperate with law enforcement.
A Tense Political Backdrop
This whole incident happened against a very heated political backdrop.
President Donald Trump has made immigration enforcement a top priority since returning to office in January 2025.
ICE has ramped up raids, and the White House claims more than 100,000 undocumented migrants have already been deported this year.
Just last week, a massive raid at a cannabis farm in Camarillo led to the detention of 200 migrant workers.
Protesters clashed violently with ICE agents, and Trump responded by authorizing federal officers to use “whatever means necessary” to subdue anyone attacking agents during operations.
Final Thoughts
The fake kidnapping saga isn’t just a bizarre story — it’s also a stark reminder of the tensions surrounding immigration in the U.S. right now.
What began as a dramatic plea for help turned into a federal investigation, and now a woman could be spending years behind bars for a scam that played on public sympathy and stirred political outrage.