New York Attorney General Letitia James has initiated legal proceedings against Kofi Amankwaa, a Bronx immigration lawyer, and his associates—Sylvester Boateng, Nana Adoma Kontoh, Betty Smith, and Kofi Amankwaa Jr.
The lawsuit alleges their involvement in an illegal scheme that defrauded hundreds of vulnerable immigrants, resulting in financial losses, deportations, and denied green card applications.
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The defendants are accused of charging immigrant clients substantial amounts for fraudulent services, claiming to secure green cards for them.
Concurrently, the group allegedly submitted separate petitions under the Violence Against Women Act, falsely accusing the clients’ children of abuse to expedite green card applications.
The lawsuit seeks to halt the defendants’ illicit activities, aiming for restitution and damages for affected customers, in addition to civil penalties imposed by the state.
Simultaneously, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has filed a parallel criminal action against Mr. Amankwaa and Kofi Amankwaa Jr., charging them with orchestrating a large-scale immigration fraud scheme.
Attorney General James underscored the significance of protecting vulnerable communities and holding accountable those who exploit and defraud immigrants seeking legal assistance.
The investigation revealed a consistent pattern of fraudulent conduct, including the deliberate filing of false petitions without informing clients, leading to deportations and denied green cards.
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The lawsuit also alleges that Nana Adoma Kontoh misrepresented herself as an attorney, providing unlawful legal advice and encouraging clients to lie to immigration officials. Kofi Amankwaa Jr. is accused of offering legal advice despite not being admitted to practice law in New York.
Attorney General James encourages individuals who suspect they may have fallen victim to fraud to report complaints using the office’s complaint form or by calling 1-800-771-7755.
