PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania man who allegedly posed as an attorney and provided fake immigration assistance faces a lawsuit by the state's Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Syed Zaman of Delaware County allegedly passed himself off as a licensed attorney and solicited clients while earning at least $20,000 for paperwork and immigration assistance. Zaman met clients outside a Philadelphia courthouse and told them their court sessions had been "canceled," provided fake information on client's cases and took additional monies so their cases could continue, the Attorney General's Office alleges.
“This defendant took advantage of people who were seeking legal aid to properly become American citizens and provide better lives for themselves and their families,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in a statement. “He abused the trust people place in their attorneys, scammed Pennsylvanians out of their money and abused the privilege of close relationships with our immigrant community. My office is holding him accountable and seeking restitution for his victims.”
In its lawsuit filed in Philadelphia County Common Pleas Court, Shapiro seeks injunctive relief, restitution and civil penalties.