A Bronx attorney faced his day of reckoning as he appeared in federal court for sentencing after admitting guilt in a multi-million dollar immigration fraud scheme. The disgraced lawyer, Kofi Anankwaa, was exposed by an in-depth I-Team investigation, which shed light on his fraudulent practices that targeted vulnerable immigrant families seeking legal status in the United States.
The case came to a head as Ricardo Velasquez Jr., a victim of Anankwaa’s deceit, delivered a poignant statement on behalf of his family during the sentencing hearing in lower Manhattan. Velasquez Jr. expressed the devastating impact of Anankwaa’s actions, stating, “He destroyed so many American dreams.” This sentiment encapsulated the profound consequences of the attorney’s fraudulent activities on countless individuals and families.
Anankwaa’s downfall began with the unraveling of his elaborate scam, which was brought to light by investigative reports from NBC New York’s Sarah Wallace. The former Bronx immigration attorney had promised to assist thousands of immigrants in navigating the complex legal process of obtaining citizenship. However, instead of fulfilling his obligations, he exploited their trust for personal gain, amassing millions of dollars while leaving many in a state of uncertainty and legal limbo.
In September 2024, Anankwaa pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges following a thorough investigation by the I-Team. The probe revealed a sophisticated scheme in which the attorney defrauded immigrants seeking legal status by extracting exorbitant fees under false pretenses. One such victim, Ricardo Velazquez Sr., a longstanding restaurant cook, found himself and his family entangled in Anankwaa’s web of deceit.
Velazquez Sr. and his family, including four U.S. citizen children, fell prey to Anankwaa’s promises of legal status, leading to their deportation to Mexico. Anankwaa had assured them that he could expedite the citizenship process by obtaining a passport stamp upon their return to the U.S., charging $3,000 per person for his services. However, this turned out to be a ploy to exploit their vulnerability and extract money under false pretenses.
The attorney’s fraudulent activities extended to falsifying documents under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a government program designed to aid victims of domestic violence in obtaining green cards. Shockingly, Anankwaa listed innocent individuals, including Velazquez Jr., as abusers in these falsified filings, further compounding the harm inflicted on his victims. Velazquez Jr. expressed his dismay upon discovering the extent of Anankwaa’s deception, underscoring the emotional toll of his actions.
Anankwaa’s fraudulent VAWA filings accounted for a significant portion of all petitions nationwide, highlighting the widespread impact of his criminal activities on immigrant communities. His scheme, which came to light in the spring of 2023, resulted in the separation of immigrant families and placed thousands of individuals at risk of legal repercussions. While Velazquez Sr. was eventually allowed to return to the U.S. and reunite with his family, many of Anankwaa’s victims continue to face an uncertain future.
In a bid to seek justice for those affected by his crimes, Anankwaa was sentenced to 70 months in prison and ordered to forfeit over $13 million, in addition to providing $16 million in restitution to his victims. The distribution of these funds remains a subject of speculation, leaving many questions unanswered in the wake of the attorney’s sentencing. As Anankwaa chose to remain silent outside of federal court, the full extent of the repercussions of his actions is yet to be determined.
