New York – A Ghanaian immigration lawyer based in the Bronx, New York, is facing up to 15 years in jail for orchestrating a massive immigration scam that defrauded vulnerable immigrants and caused financial loss, deportations, and denied Green Card applications. Kofi Amankwaa, along with his son Kofi Amankwaa Jr. and several associates, scammed hundreds of clients by charging exorbitant fees for fraudulent services promising to secure Green Cards for them. Simultaneously, they submitted false petitions accusing the clients’ children of abuse under the Violence Against Women Act to expedite their immigration applications.
According to court documents, the New York State Attorney General is seeking up to 15 years of imprisonment for the defendants, who are now facing charges of conspiracy and immigration fraud. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, condemned their actions, stating that they sought to exploit the immigration system for their own financial gain. New York lawmaker Catalina Cruz also expressed her dismay, describing their acts as defrauding the government and stealing the American dream of families.
Investigations revealed that Kofi Amankwaa was linked to Ghana through his educational background, having attended a major public university in the country’s capital. The lawsuit against him aims to halt his illegal activities, seeking restitution and damages for affected customers, along with civil penalties. Furthermore, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has filed a parallel criminal action against Kofi Amankwaa and his son for their involvement in a large-scale immigration fraud scheme.
Attorney General James stressed the importance of protecting vulnerable communities and holding accountable those who exploit and defraud immigrants. The investigation exposed a pattern of fraudulent conduct, including the filing of false petitions without clients’ knowledge, causing deportations and denied green cards. The lawsuit also alleges that one of the defendants, Nana Adoma Kontoh, misrepresented herself as an attorney and provided unlawful legal advice to clients, encouraging them to lie to immigration officials. Kofi Amankwaa Jr. was accused of providing legal advice despite not being admitted to practice law in New York.
Individuals who believe they may have been victims of fraud are urged to report their complaints to the Attorney General’s office. The case highlights the importance of clamping down on immigration scams and ensuring the integrity of the immigration system.