Two men arrested for visa fraud in separate complaints

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Fredy Hernandez-Lopez, 19, a citizen and national of Mexico, and Pablo Marlon Frias Teran, 40, a citizen and national of Ecuador, were arrested and charged in separate criminal complaints with Visa fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaints, in the early morning hours of August 26, 2025, Hernandez-Lopez and Frias Teran were passengers in a vehicle that made a wrong turn onto the Peace Bridge Port of Entry, coming from the United States. When questioned by Customs and Border Protection officers, Hernandez-Lopez was not in possession of an identity document and was escorted to secondary inspection, during which officers located what appeared to be a United States Permanent Resident Card and a United States Social Security Card, both bearing the name “Freddy HERNANDEZ.”  Subsequent investigation determined that both cards were fraudulent. Frias Teran also was not in possession of an identity document and was escorted to secondary to determine his immigration status. Officers discovered an Alien Registration Receipt Card, bearing the name Marlon Teran, which was also determined to be fraudulent. Previously, Frias Teran was ordered removed from the United States in July 2024 but never left the country.

The defendants made initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroder, Jr. and were detained.

The complaint is a result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.     

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