A federal indictment partially revealed in the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) charges five individuals with allegedly operating a fake law firm, attracting "clients" on Facebook, and conducting simulated immigration procedures.
These acts included fake asylum interviews and "judicial" appearances via videoconference. The defendants pretended to be immigration judges, federal agents, and lawyers.
The U.S. Attorney's Office reported that the defendants are facing charges for conspiracy to commit electronic fraud, electronic fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and two counts of impersonation of a federal official or employee.
The document lists four arrested suspects: Daniela Alejandra Sánchez Ramírez, 25 years old; Marlyn Yulitza Salazar Pineda, 24 years old; Jhoan Sebastián Sánchez Ramírez, 29 years old; Alexandra Patricia Sánchez Ramírez, 38 years old, all Colombians.
According to the statement, three of the accused—Daniela Alejandra Sánchez Ramírez, Jhoan Sebastián Sánchez Ramírez, and Alexandra Patricia Sánchez Ramírez—were arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport while attempting to board a one-way flight to Colombia.
A fourth defendant, Marlyn Yulitza Salazar Pineda, was arrested in a restaurant in New Jersey, while a fifth defendant was not in U.S. custody.
The text adds that Daniela and Jhoan Ramírez, along with Marlyn Pineda, had parole and that Alexandra Ramírez was in the country on a tourist visa. It also specifies that Daniela, Jhoan, and Alexandra are siblings.
The four detainees, the Prosecutor's Office indicated, would be processed this Saturday in the federal court of Brooklyn before Magistrate Judge Peggy Cross-Goldenberg.
The scheme: charges ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars
According to the cited court documents, the group and their accomplices posed as immigration lawyers and operated a fake office called “CM Bufete De Abogados Consultoría Migratoria.”
After attracting potential clients —primarily on Facebook— they charged fees ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars for alleged services and advice that, according to the accusation, did not exist.
The Prosecutor's Office stated that none of the accused or the identified accomplices were licensed attorneys or authorized to practice in any jurisdiction in the United States.
The statement claims that, after receiving the money, the accused pretended to represent their "clients" and sent documents that "appeared official" because they included symbols of U.S. government agencies.
Some referred to pending real cases in immigration courts or claimed that those cases had been favorably resolved, but —according to the Prosecutor's Office— none of those documents were legitimate or issued by a federal agency.
Additionally, the defendants allegedly organized simulated procedures (asylum interviews and court appearances) in which the victims participated via videoconference.
In some of those encounters, the impostors posed as immigration judges, CBP and USCIS agents, and lawyers.
A whole theater
To enhance the staging, they wore judicial robes and uniforms, appearing against backdrops that resembled courtrooms or government offices, complete with seals and agency flags.
During those video calls —according to the cited accusation— the fake officials asked sensitive personal questions and requested the victims' personal identification information.
In some cases, the accused falsely claimed that those "procedures" had resolved outstanding immigration matters.
As a result, victims did not appear before the immigration court, which led to the deportation order of at least one victim, who mistakenly believed that their case had already been resolved. The Prosecutor's Office indicated that this order was later revoked.
The investigation identified over $100,000 in fraudulent transactions transmitted by victims to the defendants and others associated with the fake law firm.
Federal prosecutor Joseph Nocella Jr. stated that the defendants "undermined the integrity" of the immigration system by posing as judges, law enforcement officers, and attorneys, and by targeting vulnerable individuals seeking legal assistance.
The DHS Inspector General, Joseph V. Cuffari, stated that they will pursue those who commit fraud or impersonate government officials.
The Prosecutor's Office reminded that the charges are allegations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Each accused faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
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