Tickets to Nowhere: Haitian Refugees Fall Prey to Travel Scams

• Haitian migrants and those living in the Dominican Republic (DR) are increasingly victimized by fraudulent travel agencies promising passage to countries like Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.
• Scammers leverage social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok, often hiring influencers or public figures to build false credibility.
• Victims typically lose between USD 3,500 and 5,000 per person, with many left without documentation or savings as agencies abruptly disappear.
• Reporting these crimes is extremely difficult; in the DR, undocumented migrants fear that contacting police will lead to arrest and deportation.

The "Prophet Mackenson" Case

• Mackenson Dorilas, a spiritual figure known as "Prophet Mackenson," promoted the agency Fidélité Tours, which allegedly scammed 80 people out of USD 320,000.
• Despite claiming he only had an advertising contract, Mackenson was arrested by the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) on July 8, 2026.
• Government officials reported new complaints suggesting victims gave an additional USD 61,000 directly to him.

Fraudulent Strategies and Vulnerabilities

• Agencies use temporary office spaces, AI-generated content, and aggressive marketing to attract desperate individuals escaping gang violence and unemployment.
• Victims often receive only handwritten receipts, providing no legal leverage for prosecution.
• Previous "real" migration routes through transit countries like Nicaragua or via Guyana and Bolivia have become significantly more restricted, making official pathways inaccessible to the most vulnerable.