May 1, 2026
Be Aware of Scam Involving Fake Lawyers Targeting Immigrants and Lawyers
The Virginia State Bar has been made aware of a sophisticated immigration-related fraud that is directly impacting licensed attorneys and the vulnerable populations they serve.
Scammers are harvesting attorneys' names and bar numbers from publicly available state bar websites and using that information to impersonate real, licensed practitioners. By citing a legitimate bar number, fraudsters lend false credibility to their schemes and make it significantly harder for victims to identify the fraud. In some cases, the impersonated attorney only became aware of the situation when victims contact them directly to verify whether they are actually handling their case.
The American Bar Association has made several federal agencies aware of the scheme, including the DHS Office of Inspector General and the EOIR Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program. Federal investigators are aware of this activity and are actively engaged.
Members are advised to review the Immigration Fraud page for guidance on how to identify these scams and how you can protect yourselves as well as your clients. Advise clients to use Virginia State Bar search tools instead of relying on credentials provided by someone who contacted them unsolicited.
If you become aware of such activity, we encourage reporting to appropriate authorities, including applicable state disciplinary bodies, the Federal Trade Commission, and the EOIR Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program at [email protected] or 877-388-3840.