Eric Schneiderman Warns Immigrants Of ICE Scams

NEW YORK, NY — Fraudsters have allegedly been posing as immigration officials and threatening immigrants with deportation unless they pay the scam artists money, according to warning from the New York attorney general.

Eric Schneiderman's office issued a fraud warning on Wednesday morning after receiving reports of calls and in-person visits from fake immigration officials, his office said in a statement. One immigrant in Queens told the attorney general's office that four men dressed as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents threatened him with detainment unless he gave them all of his money.

"It is unconscionable for scam artists to prey on heightened fear in our immigrant communities by pretending to be ICE officers and demanding that families pay up in order to avoid deportation," Schneiderman said in a statement. "I urge communities to protect themselves by learning about these potential scams – and contacting my office if they suspect fraud."

Immigrant communities in New York and around the country have been on high alert in the last week after reports of ICE raids throughout the country. ICE officials arrested 41 people in the New York area last week

You can report potential fraud by calling the attorney general's office at (866) 390-2992 or emailing Civil.Rights@ag.ny.gov.

This post will be updated with additional information.