Four Colombian nationals have been apprehended, with three of them detained at an airport as they attempted to leave the country on one-way tickets. Prosecutors allege that the group posed as immigration judges and federal agents to exploit migrants.
Among those arrested were siblings Daniela Alejandra Sanchez Ramirez, 25, Jhoan Sebastian Sanchez Ramirez, 29, and Alexandra Patricia Sanchez Ramirez, 38. According to federal prosecutors, these siblings were captured at Newark Airport in New Jersey while preparing to board flights to Colombia.
The fourth individual, Marlyn Yulitza Salazar Pineda, 24, was taken into custody at a New Jersey restaurant.
A fifth suspect mentioned in the partially unsealed indictment remains at large and is not currently in U.S. custody.
The accused reportedly masqueraded as judges, law enforcement officials, and attorneys, conducting fraudulent immigration hearings via videoconference, as stated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
“The defendants audaciously defrauded their victims by extracting money and misleading them with counterfeit documents and sham court sessions,” remarked Joseph Nocella Jr., the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, in an official statement.
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.
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.
