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Four individuals from Colombia have been apprehended, with three being intercepted at an airport possessing one-way tickets for departure, following allegations that they masqueraded as immigration judges and federal agents to exploit migrants.
Among those detained at Newark Airport in New Jersey were siblings Daniela Alejandra Sanchez Ramirez, aged 25, Jhoan Sebastian Sanchez Ramirez, aged 29, and Alexandra Patricia Sanchez Ramirez, aged 38. According to federal prosecutors, all three were preparing to board flights back to Colombia.
The fourth suspect, Marlyn Yulitza Salazar Pineda, 24, was taken into custody at a restaurant in New Jersey.
A fifth individual, mentioned in a partially unsealed indictment, remains at large and is not yet in U.S. custody.
Authorities allege that this group impersonated judges, law enforcement, and attorneys to conduct fraudulent immigration proceedings via videoconference. This brazen scheme highlights the vulnerabilities migrants face and underscores the ongoing efforts by federal prosecutors to combat such deceptive practices.
“The defendants brazenly stole their victims’ money and deceived them by sending fictitious documents and holding sham court proceedings,” Joseph Nocella Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement.Â
The group allegedly impersonated judges, law enforcement officers and lawyers to orchestrate sham immigration proceedings held over videoconference.
Court documents contain two representative photos of two of the virtual “proceedings” with faces blacked out.Â
In court documents, prosecutors cited two photos of the virtual “proceedings” with faces blacked out. (United States Attorney, Eastern District of New York)
Victims were led to believe that their immigration cases had been resolved, resulting in victims missing their actual appearances in immigration court, according to prosecutors.
At least one victim who mistakenly believed her immigration issues were resolved was ordered to be deported due to the scheme, prosecutors said, noting that the order was later reversed.
The group is also accused of lining their pockets and the pockets of their coconspirators in Colombia by laundering tens of thousands of dollars of victims’ funds.
The group operated a fictitious law firm and solicited prospective “clients” primarily through Facebook, prosecutors alleged, adding that they charged fees ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars “for nonexistent legal advice and services.”
A view of Newark Airport in New Jersey, on May 6, 2025. Prosecutors said three of the Colombian nationals were arrested at the airport with one-way tickets to Colombia. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Investigators have identified over $100,000 in fraudulent transactions allegedly transmitted by victims to the defendants and other individuals associated with the fake law firm.
All five individuals have been charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy and two counts of false impersonation of an officer or employee of the United States.
Daniela and Jhoan Ramirez, and Marlyn Pineda are immigration parolees, while Alexandra Ramirez is in the U.S. on a tourist visa, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.