# Scams and fake immigration helpers

Source: https://www.qaravan.org/resources/safety/scams-and-fake-helpers/

Who has the right to help with immigration matters, how to spot a scam and where to complain.

This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.

MOIA, the City's immigrant affairs office, defines immigration fraud as deception around immigration legal services that targets vulnerable immigrants. Scammers include lawyers, non-lawyers, and people who call or write with threats of immigration consequences.

This is general information, not legal advice; QARAVAN has no lawyers.

## Start here

- Only a licensed attorney or an accredited representative may legally give advice on your immigration case or represent you. Notaries, translators, “consultants,” document preparation offices, travel agents and “helpers” advertising in Russian have no such right, so check anyone before you pay.
- Forms are free at [uscis.gov/forms](https://uscis.gov/forms). Don't pay for them, don't hand over originals, and don't sign blank or unclear papers.
- If you were scammed, file a complaint on the website of the State Attorney General or the City's DCWP ([nyc.gov/dca](https://nyc.gov/dca)); you don't have to give your name or status.

## Who has the right to help with immigration matters

Who has the right to help with immigration papers and how to check

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## How to avoid the trap

1. Find out who you are dealing with Ask for proof that the person is a licensed attorney or accredited representative, and check the lists yourself. Check even if family or friends recommended them.
2. Choose a provider with an address Go only to people with a real office, and get a second opinion.
3. Do not pay for forms Government forms are free at [uscis.gov/forms](https://uscis.gov/forms).
4. Hand over copies, not originals Keep your originals: copies are enough for the preparer.
5. Do not sign what you do not understand Don't sign blank or incomplete forms, contracts or papers you don't fully understand, or forms with false information.
6. Insist on a written contract The contract describes the services and is signed by the preparer. New York State law requires it in a language the client understands. Read it before signing and keep your copy. By law you can cancel, demand your money back and get your originals and file back, even in a payment dispute.
7. Get receipts and copies A written receipt with the preparer's name and address, copies of everything they prepared for you, and copies of USCIS letters and notices. Keep them somewhere safe.
8. Ask where to find a free lawyer The City's MOIA line [(800-354-0365](tel:8003540365), Russian available) tells you where to get free City-funded legal help but doesn't book appointments itself. New Yorkers with household income below 200% of the federal poverty level qualify.

## Fraud in asylum cases

1. Your story must be your own If someone offers you a ready-made story, someone else's story or invented details to make it convincing, walk away. If a judge finds that your asylum application was knowingly false, you lose any right to immigration benefits in the US forever, and you answer for it, not the person who wrote it.
2. Sign only what you understand Before you sign, ask for the whole I-589 to be read to you in Russian and correct anything that is wrong. Anyone who prepared the form must sign it in the preparer section; if they refuse, that is a warning sign.
3. Don't trust ads Russian-language ads promising an easy path, “no risk” or “connections” at immigration agencies prove nothing. Check the lawyer's license or the representative's accreditation, and ask in QARAVAN's chats whom other members worked with and how their cases ended.
4. Keep access to your case Keep the login and password of your USCIS account yourself, and ask for a copy of everything filed in your name.

## Promises that give a scam away

1. “An easy way to get a green card” A promise of an easy green card is a warning sign.
2. “A work permit or visa right away” MOIA calls promises of an instant work permit or visa false.
3. “No risks or consequences” MOIA also counts assurances of no consequences as false promises.
4. “Special connections” and speeding things up for money Only USCIS decides whether to expedite a case. Current times are under Check Case Processing Times on [uscis.gov](https://uscis.gov).
5. A job in the U.S. by email or social media for a fee A US job offer by email before you arrive, especially one asking for payment, may be a scam. Check a job from social media: make sure the company is real before giving personal details.
6. A message that you won the visa lottery The State Department holds the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) lottery. Entry is free, and the State Department never emails winners.

## Calls, emails and websites in the name of the government

1. USCIS does not ask for money by phone or email USCIS doesn't ask you to send money to people and doesn't take Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, Venmo or gift cards. Some fees can be paid online, but only through your USCIS account and [Pay.gov](https://Pay.gov).
2. Check that the address ends in .gov Social media pages, emails and websites claiming to be USCIS can be fake: a real website or email address ends in .gov.
3. USCIS does not write to personal social media USCIS contacts you only through official government channels and does not message you on Facebook, LinkedIn or other networks.
4. Forward a suspicious email to USCIS Forward it to USCIS.Webmaster@uscis.dhs.gov. Don't reply or click its links.

## If you have already been cheated

1. Collect your papers The contract, receipts, messages, ads and copies of any documents you still have.
2. Show everything to a lawyer The MOIA line [(800-354-0365](tel:8003540365), Russian available) can tell you where to find a free lawyer. Tell the lawyer what you signed and what was filed in your name.
3. Complain about a helper who is not a lawyer File a complaint with DCWP online at [nyc.gov/dca](https://nyc.gov/dca): no account needed, and you can attach contracts, receipts and screenshots. You don't have to give your name or status. A paper form in Russian can be mailed with copies of documents, not originals.
4. Complain about an attorney Complain through the court website for the borough where you met the lawyer (MOIA's page links to the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island).
5. Report to the State and to federal agencies The State Attorney General takes complaints through its website form ([ag.ny.gov/file-complaint](https://ag.ny.gov/file-complaint)), and the New Americans Hotline ([1-800-566-7636](tel:18005667636), say “Russian”) takes reports of fraud against immigrants statewide. For phone, mail and online scams, USCIS suggests reporting to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your state consumer protection agency.

## Where to turn

- MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline NYC residents Free The City line: immigration information and referrals to free City-funded legal help; it doesn't book appointments itself. Russian available. New Yorkers with household income below 200% of the federal poverty level qualify. [800-354-0365](tel:8003540365) [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/avoid-immigration-services-fraud.page)
- NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) NYC residents Takes complaints about immigration service fraud and other scams; file online at [nyc.gov/dca](https://nyc.gov/dca), no account needed. The department tries to resolve complaints through mediation. A paper form is available in Russian. [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/file-complaint.page) 42 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 (for complaints by mail)
- Immigration Services Fraud Hotline, New York State Attorney General Any status The State Attorney General enforces the state law on immigrant assistance services and takes complaints about people posing as lawyers or breaking that law. File through the complaint form linked from the Attorney General's immigration services fraud page. Complainants' information is protected by state law. [ag.ny.gov](https://ag.ny.gov/resources/individuals/consumer-issues/immigration-services-fraud)
- New Americans Hotline (New York State) Any status The State's line for new Americans: reports of immigration fraud and schemes against immigrants anywhere in the state; over 200 languages: say “Russian”. [1-800-566-7636](tel:18005667636) [dos.ny.gov](https://dos.ny.gov/office-new-americans)
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC), ReportFraud Any status The Federal Trade Commission takes fraud reports; USCIS suggests reporting immigration scams there or to your state consumer protection agency. [reportfraud.ftc.gov](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/)
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3, the center for internet crime complaints of the Federal Bureau of Investigation) Any status The FBI takes reports of internet crime, fraud included, here. IC3 never contacts people to ask for information or money and does not work with law firms or crypto services to “recover” money; report anyone posing as IC3. If someone is in danger right now, call [911](tel:911). [ic3.gov](https://www.ic3.gov/)
- EOIR: checking representatives and complaints Any status Who has the right to represent you in immigration courts; lists of accredited representatives, recognized organizations and disciplined lawyers; complaint forms for unauthorized practice of law and against accredited representatives. Notaries, document preparers, immigration consultants and travel agents have no right to practice law. [justice.gov](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/can-someone-represent-you-eoir)
- USCIS, Common Scams Any status Common schemes: fake officials, payments by phone and mail, fake websites, people posing as lawyers, money for “connections”, paid job offers and visa lottery letters. [uscis.gov](https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/common-scams)
- Attorney Directory of the New York State courts Any status A free database to check whether a lawyer is licensed in New York State. The courts ask not to link to it directly: find it by name on the state courts' website.

## Glossary: definitions of special terms and abbreviations

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[All pages: Safety and your rights](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/safety/)

**Sources, checked November 2026**

- [dos.ny.gov/office-new-americans](https://dos.ny.gov/office-new-americans)
- [nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/avoid-immigration-serv…](https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/avoid-immigration-services-fraud.page)
- [nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/file-complaint.page](https://www.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/file-complaint.page)
- [ag.ny.gov/resources/individuals/consumer-issues/immigration-se…](https://ag.ny.gov/resources/individuals/consumer-issues/immigration-services-fraud)
- [reportfraud.ftc.gov](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/)
- [ic3.gov](https://www.ic3.gov/)
- [justice.gov/eoir/can-someone-represent-you-eoir](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/can-someone-represent-you-eoir)
- [uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/common-scams](https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/common-scams)
- [justice.gov/eoir/recognition-accreditation-roster-reports](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-accreditation-roster-reports)
- [ag.ny.gov/file-complaint](https://ag.ny.gov/file-complaint)