Bronx Lawyer Implicated in Shocking Asylum Fraud Case

Hand concealing cash under a folder on a desk.

Bronx immigration lawyer Kofi Amankwaa’s guilty admission reveals a disturbing $6,000 asylum fraud scheme.

At a Glance

Kofi Amankwaa, 70, admitted to a large-scale immigration fraud scheme involving false domestic abuse claims.
He faces up to 10 years in prison and could pay up to $16 million in restitution.
Amankwaa’s fraudulent activities took place from September 2016 to November 2023, exploiting the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
His attempts to game the immigration system have resulted in an ongoing investigation into his staff, including his son.
Provisions in the Violence Against Women Act were misused to expedite legal residency for clients.

Fraud Unveiled

Kofi Amankwaa, a Bronx-based immigration lawyer, confessed to orchestrating a large-scale immigration scheme by filing fraudulent documents claiming his clients were victims of domestic abuse. This fraudulent activity, spanning from September 2016 to November 2023, exploited provisions in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to accelerate the legal residency process for his clients. Amankwaa’s fraudulent claims included false domestic violence reports, for which clients unknowingly paid between $3,000 and $6,000.

Clients believed they were receiving legitimate legal assistance, only to later discover the fraudulent nature of their claims. Due to contradictory information within their immigration documents, some clients were even deported. Investigations revealed that Amankwaa operated with his son, Kofi Amankwaa Jr., and several staff members, some of whom falsely represented themselves as attorneys.

A former immigration attorney pleaded guilty to charges in a large-scale immigration fraud scheme. @HSINewark led the investigation in partnership with @USCIS and support from @NewYorkStateAG. #HSI is committed to protecting victims of fraud and abuse. https://t.co/sQTWGYSgLw

— HSI Newark (@HSINewark) September 17, 2024

Legal Repercussions

Amankwaa now faces significant legal consequences. His guilty plea could lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years, along with forfeiting $13.4 million and paying over $16.5 million in restitution to the defrauded clients. The state attorney general’s office is also pursuing additional legal action against him, his son, and other staff members involved in the scheme.

“For years, Kofi Amankwaa oversaw a massive immigration fraud scheme, filing thousands of immigration documents falsely alleging that his clients were victims of abuse by their children or other family members. Amankwaa’s actions undermined our U.S. immigration system, exploited VAWA — a law that allows noncitizen victims of domestic abuse a path to lawful permanent residence status — and victimized vulnerable clients in the process.” – U.S. Attorney Damian Williams

The case was investigated in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Office of Fraud Detection and National Security. Additionally, the prosecution is being managed by the Office’s General Crimes Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Z. Margulies leading the charge.

IMMIGRATION FRAUD: A former Bronx attorney faces up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to immigration fraud. https://t.co/duCemLKiBV pic.twitter.com/oUTUIcUKo4

— News12BX (@News12BX) September 18, 2024

Broader Implications

This case is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within the U.S. immigration system. Amankwaa’s manipulation of VAWA provisions to deceive authorities and fast-track legal residency for his clients underscores the challenges faced by immigration law enforcement. Victims of his fraud are urged to contact [email protected] for support and to participate in the restitution process.

“Today’s guilty plea highlights this office’s dedication to holding accountable those who abuse the trust placed in them as attorneys and fraudulently use our immigration system as a tool for their own financial gain.” – Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York

Amankwaa’s son, Kofi Amankwaa Jr., also faces related charges, and investigations are ongoing regarding other staff members who may have participated in the fraudulent activities. The lawful pursuit of justice in this case is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the U.S. immigration system and ensuring that those who seek its protection can do so legitimately.