Exclusive | Feds crush California illegal migrants in pre-dawn raid after rumbling brazen scam ripping off taxpayers

Federal agents sought five alleged illegal migrants wanted for credit fraud in Orange County and Long Beach Thursday morning, capturing one man who almost made a surprise getaway in his car.The California Post was there as agents armed with drones and guns swarmed Abel Ávila Martínez, 48, of Buena Park, a Mexican national who previously was removed from the US in 1999 and allegedly used fake social security numbers to run up thousands in bogus debt.The feds used high-flying drones to secretly track him as he exited his home before dawn and walked about a quarter mile to a car parked in his quiet Orange County neighborhood.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

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Never miss a story About 20 agents in tactical pounced on Ávila Martínez as he entered the vehicle and prepared to drive away, rushing to block his car with unmarked cars of their own and calling for him to surrender.“Put your hands up and don’t move,” called one agent as the fed suddenly blasted Ávila Martínez with searchlights and pointed their guns his way.He complied, raising both arms as agents approached his vehicle and placed him in handcuffs.

  Ávila Martínez is charged with using fake social security numbers to fraudulently apply for credit at retailers and online payment services, racking up at least $15,964 in debt for purchases he made using the fake ID numbers, according to court papers. He filed for bankruptcy in May of last year in an attempt to discharge the debt – and admitted in his court filing to using a phony social security number to apply for the credit, alerting the feds to his scam.Ávila Martínez was one of at least three alleged illegal migrants arrested in the wide-ranging takedown base in investigations that in the case of each suspect were triggered by the use of a phony social ...