A Ghanaian attorney, Kofi Amankwaa, and his son, Kofi Amankwaa Jnr, who are based in the United States of America, are collectively facing a potential fifteen years in prison for orchestrating an immigration fraud scheme in the U.S.
Operating a law firm in New York, the duo is accused of defrauding numerous clients over an extended period, as disclosed by prosecutors in the United States.
Allegedly exploiting their clients, a majority of whom were immigrants seeking legal status in the U.S., Kofi Amankwaa and his son Junior are now under scrutiny for their involvement in what the Department of Justice describes as a “large-scale immigration fraud scheme.”
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Kofi Amankwaa, an immigration attorney, and his son, Kofi Amankwaa, Jr., sought to make a mockery of the U.S. immigration system by conspiring to defraud the United States and commit immigration fraud.
“Amankwaa and his son allegedly exploited the Violence Against Women Act — a law that allows noncitizen victims of domestic abuse a path to lawful permanent residence status — for their own financial gain by falsely claiming that their clients were victims of domestic abuse.
“Thanks to the dedicated actions of our law enforcement partners and the career prosecutors of this Office, the defendants must now answer for these crimes.”
Added HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso said: “Kofi Amankwaa is charged with deceitful practices whereby he allegedly victimized clients who relied on his legal assistance with their immigration process. HSI is committed to protecting the applicants, petitioners, and requestors of U.S. citizenship who, unfortunately, are often at risk of falling for scams or fraud.
“HSI is thankful for the collaboration in this investigation with other Department of Homeland Security components, as well as other federal agencies, who continue to help us combat document and benefit fraud.”