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Pennsylvania Woman Indicted for Immigration Fraud Scheme
A Chester County woman has been indicted for allegedly orchestrating a multi-year immigration fraud scheme that exploited vulnerable individuals seeking legal status in the U.S.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Fatima DeMaria, 65, of Lincoln University, operated “Immigration Matters Legal Services” in Oxford, PA, where she falsely claimed to be an immigration attorney. From December 2021 to July 2024, DeMaria allegedly filed fraudulent asylum applications (Form I-589) on behalf of undocumented immigrants—without their knowledge or consent.
The indictment outlines how DeMaria misrepresented her clients’ circumstances, falsely claiming they were seeking asylum based on political persecution or torture. In reality, her clients had not provided any such information and were unaware of the filings. These bogus applications, submitted under penalty of perjury, could trigger removal proceedings and jeopardize future immigration benefits.
DeMaria reportedly charged up to $15,000 per couple for her “services,” often accepting cash or peer-to-peer payments deposited into personal accounts. Investigators allege she withdrew hundreds of thousands of dollars at casinos. If convicted, she faces up to 240 years in prison and $4 million in fines. The government is also pursuing forfeiture of at least $1 million in alleged illegal earnings.
Federal authorities—including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service—are seeking additional victims. Anyone who interacted with DeMaria or Immigration Matters Legal Services is urged to contact the FBI via their .
This case highlights the importance of verifying legal credentials and reporting suspected fraud. ScamBusting will continue to follow this story as it develops.