Ghanaian immigration lawyer, Kofi Amankwaa, and his associates, including his son Kofi Amankwaa Jr., have found themselves in the midst of a significant immigration scandal that has resulted in substantial losses for the state and countless unsuspecting clients.
Court documents unveil a disturbing scheme orchestrated by Amankwaa and his team, including Sylvester Boateng, Nana Adoma Kontoh, and Betty Smith, that targeted vulnerable immigrants. The scheme involved charging exorbitant fees for fraudulent services, promising to secure Green Cards for clients while simultaneously submitting false petitions under the Violence Against Women Act, accusing clients’ children of abuse to manipulate immigration applications.
The New York State Attorney General is pursuing up to 15 years of imprisonment for Kofi Amankwaa and his associates, as outlined in court documents cited by the New York Post. Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, condemned the father and son duo for their attempts to undermine the US immigration system.
Catalina Cruz, Esq., a New York lawmaker who brought attention to the case, expressed outrage at the group’s actions, likening them to defrauding the government and robbing families of their American dreams. Families who sought Amankwaa’s assistance in pursuing legal immigration avenues were instead subjected to deportation due to the illegal activities.
The lawsuit seeks to halt the defendants’ illicit activities, aiming for restitution and damages for affected customers, along with civil penalties to the state. Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has filed criminal charges against Mr. Amankwaa and Kofi Amankwaa Jr. for their involvement in the immigration fraud scheme.
Attorney General James stressed the importance of protecting vulnerable communities and holding accountable those who exploit and defraud immigrants seeking legal aid. The investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern of deceitful conduct, including filing false petitions without clients’ knowledge, resulting in deportations and denied green cards.
The lawsuit also accuses Nana Adoma Kontoh of posing as a lawyer, providing unlawful legal counsel, and encouraging clients to deceive immigration officials. Kofi Amankwaa Jr. faces allegations of offering legal advice without proper authorization to practice law in New York.
Attorney General James urges individuals who suspect they may have fallen victim to fraud to report their complaints through the office’s complaint form or by calling 1-800-771-7755.
This is so far from the actual truth. His egregious acts resulted in the deportation of families who went to him looking to apply the so called “right way.” He defrauded the government, the families and stole their American dream. https://t.co/baTSioXOL7
— Catalina Cruz, Esq. (@CatalinaCruzNY) January 22, 2024
