SANTA ANA, Calif. – An immigration lawyer from Los Angeles has been charged with running a fraudulent scheme to recruit Chinese and Korean investors for an ethanol project that was never built.

The U.S. attorney’s office says a federal grand jury in Santa Ana indicted 57-year-old Justin Moongyu Lee on nine counts of wire fraud Wednesday.

Authorities say Lee took roughly $47 million from 94 foreigners who each invested $500,000 plus fees. The foreigners hoped to obtain green cards under a program that lets them seek green cards if they invest in projects that create jobs.

Prosecutors say Lee misused the money and filed bogus paperwork with immigration authorities.

Officials say Lee is in custody in Korea where he faces similar charges. It isn’t clear if he has a lawyer who could be reached for comment.