A Bronx resident who dreamed of becoming a U.S. citizen says he lost thousands of dollars after falling victim to an elaborate immigration scam that allegedly used artificial intelligence and the stolen identity of a real attorney to appear legitimate.
Victor Hernandez, originally from the Dominican Republic, has lived and worked in the Bronx for more than a decade and is a legal permanent resident. According to ABC7’s 7 On Your Side investigation, Hernandez encountered a social-media advertisement that appeared to feature an immigration attorney offering assistance with obtaining U.S. citizenship.
The advertisement allegedly promised that Hernandez could become a citizen without taking the official citizenship examination, with an initial price of $1,500. Believing he was dealing with a legitimate legal service, Hernandez contacted the operation and began providing payments and personal documentation.
The scheme became increasingly sophisticated. ABC7 reported that the scammers were using the identity of an actual immigration attorney without his knowledge, creating an additional layer of credibility that made it harder for victims to recognize the fraud. Artificial-intelligence technology was reportedly part of the deception.
Hernandez ultimately said he lost thousands of dollars and became particularly concerned because those behind the operation had obtained sensitive personal documents. He told investigators that his fear now extends beyond the money, because the information could potentially be misused.
The case highlights a growing danger as scammers combine social media, stolen professional identities and AI-generated material to impersonate trusted immigration professionals. Such schemes can be particularly convincing to immigrants navigating complicated legal processes and looking for assistance with citizenship or residency.
Immigration applicants should be especially cautious of anyone promising guaranteed citizenship, shortcuts around legally required procedures or unusually easy outcomes in exchange for payment. Credentials should be independently verified before money or sensitive documents are provided.
Hernandez’s case serves as a warning that advances in artificial intelligence are giving traditional impersonation scams a new level of sophistication — making it increasingly important for consumers to verify who is actually behind an online legal service before trusting it with their money, identity or immigration documents.
