Tampa Woman Posed as Immigration Lawyer, Dozens Left in Limbo

(TAMPA, FLORIDA) A Tampa woman who posed as an immigration attorney left dozens of families in legal limbo, according to past federal cases that continue to cast a long shadow over the region’s immigrant communities. While there is no specific new case reported in 2025 involving a Tampa woman posing as a lawyer, court records from recent years detail how impostors exploited people’s hopes for legal status, collected fees, and filed bogus paperwork that damaged lives and stalled real paths to lawful immigration.

One notable prosecution involved Erika Paola Intriago, a Tampa woman who pleaded guilty to wire fraud after posing as an immigration attorney and taking money from clients who believed she could handle their cases. Prosecutors said she swindled 55 people across Tampa and Chicago. Her case stands out because it blends two powerful risks at once: false legal promises and the misuse of electronic communications to collect payments, schedule meetings, and move money between accounts.

It also shows how a single fraudster can reach clients in multiple cities through social media, messaging apps, and word of mouth.

Another high-profile case involved Elvis Harold Reyes, who presented himself as an immigration lawyer and pastor. Reyes was investigated by the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office and pleaded guilty to mail fraud after filing more than 215 fraudulent asylum applications, a volume that overwhelmed victims when denial notices arrived and placed many at risk of removal proceedings. Though his plea centered on mail fraud, the harm flowed from unauthorized legal practice and false filings that left real people facing long-term consequences.

Both cases expose a simple truth: when someone who is not a licensed immigration attorney claims to offer legal services, the fallout spreads quickly. Families lose savings. Workers miss filing windows. Students fall out of status. Parents fear being separated from children. And it can take years for a legitimate immigration attorney to untangle the damage—if it can be undone at all.

How impostors typically operate

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, fraud schemes in the immigration space often share common features:

• Professional-looking business cards or websites
• Claims of insider contacts
• Pressure to pay upfront
• Promises of guaranteed results

In Tampa, those features led clients to trust impostors who, in some cases, submitted forms without consent or never filed anything at all. The lesson is not to lose hope in the system; it is to verify who is giving advice and to act quickly if something seems off.

Common red flags reported by authorities and advocates

The Tampa Bay area’s immigrant population includes workers, students, and long-settled families who rely on clear legal guidance. That need creates a target for bad actors. Intriago’s wire fraud plea and Reyes’s mail fraud conviction show two different channels—online and postal—that scammers used to collect fees and move paperwork.

Authorities and community advocates say the most common red flags include:

• Requests for cash-only payments or wire transfers with no receipts
• Assurances of guaranteed approvals or “special connections”
• Advice to sign blank forms or leave signatures on stacks of documents
• Refusal to provide a written contract or a State Bar license number
• Filing asylum claims for people with no fear-based claim, simply to get a quick receipt

When filings are fake or unsupported, the damage does not end with a denial. People can be pushed into removal proceedings, lose work authorization tied to pending applications, or face long bars to reapplying. That legal fallout is often worse than if no filing had been made in the first place.

The impact is personal: parents risk separation, workers risk losing jobs, and students risk losing years of study.

What victims can do now

As of October 11, 2025, there is no new case reported this year involving a Tampa woman posing as an immigration lawyer. Still, past cases remain a warning, and victims today have options to protect themselves and rebuild. Key steps include:

1. Report the incident to local law enforcement.
   • In Hillsborough County, contact the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office .
   • Provide copies of receipts, text messages, emails, and any documents you were asked to sign.
2. Seek help from a licensed immigration attorney.
   • Ask for a written engagement letter, a clear plan for your case, and an explanation of risks.
   • Confirm the lawyer’s license with the State Bar where they practice.
3. File a report with federal authorities if instructed by local officers.
   • Keep a record of everything you submit.
4. Review your immigration history with a trusted professional.
   • If a fake asylum or other application was filed in your name, you need to know what was sent and how it affects your status.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) publishes consumer alerts and reporting options to help people spot and report immigration scams. See USCIS for official guidance on avoiding fraud, checking case status, and finding accredited representatives. Using official government resources is vital because federal policy, deadlines, and fees change over time, and scammers often rely on outdated or false claims to sell their services.

Lessons from recent prosecutions

• In the Reyes case, victims learned the danger of mass-produced filings that looked professional but lacked truth or legal support.
• In the Intriago case, victims trusted a Tampa woman who pretended to be an immigration attorney, only to be left with missing filings and lost money.

Together, these prosecutions underscore why families should ask careful questions before paying anyone to file paperwork:

• What is the lawyer’s license number?
• Which deadlines apply?
• What are the real chances of success, and what are the risks?

Community groups in Tampa report that even one fake lawyer can damage trust for years. People who were burned once may hesitate to hire legitimate counsel later, even when a deadline is urgent. That delay can cost work permits, travel options, or eligibility for benefits tied to a clean immigration record.

A good attorney will welcome your questions, explain fees clearly, and avoid promises that sound too good to be true.

Practical steps to protect yourself

If you are unsure whether a representative is allowed to help, follow these precautions:

• Confirm whether they are a licensed attorney or a Department of Justice–accredited representative.
• Ask for written proof, then verify it independently.
• Save copies of every document filed in your name.
• Keep your addresses current with agencies so you receive all notices.
• Never sign blank forms.
• Never let anyone pressure you to lie to an officer or on a form—false statements can cause denial, fines, or worse.

Rebuilding after fraud

For families still reeling from past scams linked to fake lawyers, the path forward begins with documentation and trusted counsel. Recommended steps when you meet with a licensed attorney:

• Bring everything you have: receipts, communications, copies of forms, and any notices received.
• Ask for a plan to fix, withdraw, or redo filings that were mishandled.
• If nothing was filed, discuss whether the delay created new risks and how to address them.

It is work, and it is stressful, but it is the sure way to rebuild a lawful case with honest advice and real accountability.

Law enforcement and USCIS say they want reports from victims — not to punish them, but to stop the next fraud before it grows.