Colombian nationals allegedly ran fake law firm, impersonated federal judges to defraud migrants out of $100K

Four Colombian nationals were arrested, including 3 astatine an airdrome with one-way tickets retired of the country, aft prosecutors accidental they posed arsenic migration judges and national agents to people migrants.

Three of the Colombian nationals arrested were identified arsenic siblings Daniela Alejandra Sanchez Ramirez, 25, Jhoan Sebastian Sanchez Ramirez, 29, and Alexandra Patricia Sanchez Ramirez, 38. Federal prosecutors said each 3 were arrested astatine Newark Airport successful New Jersey with one-way tickets to Colombia.

The 4th idiosyncratic was identified arsenic Marlyn Yulitza Salazar Pineda, 24. She was arrested astatine a edifice successful New Jersey.

A 5th suspect successful the partially unsealed indictment is inactive not successful U.S. custody.

FOUR DEFENDANTS, INCLUDING 2 VENEZUELANS, USED 115 STOLEN IDENTITIES IN MASSIVE FOOD STAMP FRAUD

The radical allegedly impersonated judges, instrumentality enforcement officers and lawyers to orchestrate fake migration proceedings held implicit videoconference.  (United States Attorney, Eastern District of New York)

"The defendants brazenly stole their victims’ wealth and deceived them by sending fictitious documents and holding sham tribunal proceedings," Joseph Nocella Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said successful a statement. 

The radical allegedly impersonated judges, instrumentality enforcement officers and lawyers to orchestrate sham migration proceedings held implicit videoconference.

Court documents incorporate 2 typical photos of 2 of the virtual "proceedings" with faces blacked out. 

In tribunal documents, prosecutors cited 2 photos of the virtual "proceedings" with faces blacked out. (United States Attorney, Eastern District of New York)

Victims were led to judge that their migration cases had been resolved, resulting successful victims missing their existent appearances successful migration court, according to prosecutors.

At slightest 1 unfortunate who mistakenly believed her migration issues were resolved was ordered to beryllium deported owed to the scheme, prosecutors said, noting that the bid was aboriginal reversed.

The radical is besides accused of lining their pockets and the pockets of their coconspirators successful Colombia by laundering tens of thousands of dollars of victims' funds.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ALLEGEDLY RAN MULTI-MILLION GIFT CARD FRAUD SCHEME HITTING STORES DAILY ACROSS TEXAS

The radical operated a fictitious instrumentality steadfast and solicited prospective "clients" chiefly done Facebook, prosecutors alleged, adding that they charged fees ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars "for nonexistent ineligible proposal and services."

A presumption of Newark Airport successful New Jersey, connected May 6, 2025. Prosecutors said 3 of the Colombian nationals were arrested astatine the airdrome with one-way tickets to Colombia. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Investigators person identified implicit $100,000 successful fraudulent transactions allegedly transmitted by victims to the defendants and different individuals associated with the fake instrumentality firm.

All 5 individuals person been charged with ligament fraud conspiracy, ligament fraud, wealth laundering conspiracy and 2 counts of mendacious impersonation of an serviceman oregon worker of the United States.

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Daniela and Jhoan Ramirez, and Marlyn Pineda are migration parolees, portion Alexandra Ramirez is successful the U.S. connected a tourer visa, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Fox News’ Jennifer Johsnson contributed to this report.