Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn have charged five individuals accused of operating a fake immigration law firm that allegedly defrauded migrants out of thousands of dollars while causing some to miss legitimate court hearings.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the group posed as a legal practice called CM Bufete De Abogados Consultoria Migratoria. Prosecutors say the operation lured primarily Spanish-speaking migrants through Facebook, charging fees ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars for immigration services that did not exist.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella said the defendants “brazenly stole their victims’ money and deceived them.” Each faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
A grand jury indictment alleges the scheme ran from about March 2023 through November 2025. Prosecutors claim the defendants staged fake videoconference “hearings,” conducted sham asylum interviews in Spanish, and sent documents bearing what appeared to be official seals from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Justice. They also allegedly impersonated immigration judges and federal officials to convince victims their cases had been resolved.
Investigators traced more than $100,000 in financial transactions linked to the alleged fraud.
Three defendants — Daniela Alejandra Sanchez Ramirez, Jhoan Sebastian Sanchez Ramirez and Alexandra Patricia Sanchez Ramirez — were arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport while allegedly attempting to board one-way flights to Colombia. A fourth, Marlyn Yulitza Salazar Pineda, was taken into custody at a New Jersey restaurant, according to reports. A fifth defendant remains at large.
The four arrested suspects were scheduled to appear in Brooklyn federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Cross Goldenberg. Court records indicate several of the defendants are immigration parolees, and one reportedly entered the United States on a tourist visa.
Prosecutors allege victims believed their immigration matters were properly handled, only to later discover they had missed legitimate court appearances. In at least one case, a deportation order was issued in absentia before being reversed.
The indictment includes charges of wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and false impersonation of a U.S. officer. Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.
