Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York have charged five individuals with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to launder money, and two counts of impersonating a U.S. officer or employee. The indictment was partially unsealed on February 20, 2026.
Three defendants—Daniela Alejandra Sanchez Ramirez, Jhoan Sebastian Sanchez Ramirez, and Alexandra Patricia Sanchez Ramirez—were arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport as they attempted to board a one-way flight to Colombia. Marlyn Yulitza Salazar Pineda was taken into custody at a restaurant in New Jersey. A fifth individual remains outside U.S. custody. According to authorities, Daniela, Jhoan, and Alexandra Ramirez are siblings; three are immigration parolees while Alexandra is in the United States on a tourist visa.
The four detained defendants are scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Cross-Goldenberg at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General; and Ryan Hill, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility in New York announced the charges.
“As alleged, the defendants undermined the integrity of our immigration system by impersonating judges, law enforcement officers, and lawyers, and targeting vulnerable members of our community who sought to hire attorneys to help them navigate sensitive legal issues,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “The defendants brazenly stole their victims’ money and deceived them by sending fictious documents and holding sham court proceedings. I commend our Office’s prosecution team and the law enforcement agents whose hard work has disrupted this elaborate and outrageous scheme.”
Mr. Nocella thanked several agencies for their assistance in the investigation: Homeland Security Investigations; Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of the Principal Legal Advisor; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Fraud Detection; National Security Directorate; Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; Executive Office for Immigration Review-Office of the General Counsel’s Fraud & Abuse Prevention Program; and New York State Office for New Americans.
“We denounce those who would prey upon people trying to work through the immigration system,” stated DHS Inspector General Cuffari. “We will hold accountable anyone who commits fraud or impersonates government officials. We appreciate all our law enforcements partners that worked to expose this scheme and bring these individuals to justice.”
“The Office of Professional Responsibility in coordination with our other federal partners at DHS OIG, CBP Office of Field Operations (OFO), HSI, and DSS were able to stop an illegal scheme impacting hundreds of potential victims and generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in illicit proceeds, which were being remitted to Colombia, the Foreign Terrorist Organization’s base of operations,” stated CPB-OPR Acting Special Agent in Charge Hill. “Impersonating immigration attorneys and U.S. government officials, including CBP and USCIS officers, and U.S. Embassy personnel, to profit on the fear of others is repulsive. These criminals will now face severe consequences for their horrific actions.”
According to court documents, those charged operated under “CM Bufete De Abogados Consultoria Migratoria,” presenting themselves as immigration lawyers despite not being licensed attorneys anywhere in the United States. They recruited clients primarily through Facebook before charging fees ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars for nonexistent legal services.
The group sent fake official-looking documents referencing real pending cases or suggesting successful resolutions that never occurred. They also organized fraudulent video conference proceedings where they impersonated judges or officials using props such as judicial robes or uniforms against backgrounds designed to resemble courts or government offices.
Some victims missed actual immigration hearings due to these deceptions—at least one person received a deportation order after mistakenly believing her case had been resolved through these fake proceedings; that order was later reversed.
Investigators identified over $100,000 transferred by victims associated with this scheme.
The charges remain allegations until proven otherwise in court; each defendant faces up to 20 years if convicted.
This case is managed by the Long Island Criminal Section within the office that prosecutes federal crimes across Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County (source). The office supports victim assistance efforts (source) from its locations in Brooklyn and Central Islip (source).
Assistant United States Attorney James R. Simmons leads prosecution efforts with support from Special Agent Egbert Simon (EDNY Criminal Investigations Unit), Paralegal Specialist Adam Bernard, and Legal Assistant Danielle Rompel.
Arrested Defendants:
- Daniela Alejandra Sanchez Ramirez (25), Ibagué (Colombia) / Green Brook (New Jersey)
- Marlyn Yulitza Salazar Pineda (24), Ibagué (Colombia) / North Plainfield (New Jersey)
- Jhoan Sebastian Sanchez Ramirez (29), Ibagué (Colombia) / Green Brook (New Jersey)
- Alexandra Patricia Sanchez Ramirez (38), Ibagué (Colombia)
Each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
