Immigration attorney Willy Allen has issued an urgent warning to the Cuban and immigrant communities in the United States: impostors are leveraging artificial intelligence to mimic his identity and that of his son on TikTok, soliciting money for bogus immigration processes.
Allen exposed the scheme this Monday on his weekly show with Tania Costa, aired on CiberCuba, where he detailed the fraudulent tactics being used. "On TikTok, someone has created AI-generated versions of me and my son, similar to what happened to Ángel Leal. They run ads saying, 'Send me $2,500 and I'll make you American without an interview.' They're stealing money," the lawyer warned.
The deceptive ads employ AI-created likenesses of Allen and his son, combined with their real names and the name of Allen's office. "It's not really my face, even though I look quite good in the image they use. My son appears differently too. They've got my name, my office, and even cloned one of my photographs for the ad," Allen explained.
Recognizing the Fraud
Allen emphasized the importance of identifying the scam before falling victim to it. His office, he stated, never accepts bank transfers or payments through Zelle or other phone methods. "My office never, never, never accepts Zelle. I don't take bank transfers, and I don't take phone transfers," he stressed. The only payment method they use is credit card, through direct conversations with clients.
Additionally, Allen highlighted that in over four decades of practice, his firm has never solicited payments via social media ads. "I've never advertised. I've never put up an ad from my office saying contact me and pay this for that. It hasn't happened in more than 40 years," he asserted.
The Reality Behind False Promises
The attorney also warned against the core promise of the scam: no one can obtain American citizenship or residency without undergoing some form of official review. "Nobody can become an American citizen without an interview. Nobody. No matter what you pay, it doesn't work that way," he emphasized, urging immigrants to educate themselves before handing over their money.
His message was clear: "Any video you see, whether on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, or any of these social networks, where my office asks for money, is fake."
A Growing Issue in Immigration Fraud
Allen's situation is part of a surge in immigration scams using AI affecting the immigrant community in the U.S. He mentioned attorney Ángel Leal as a previous case: his identity was impersonated starting in October 2025 on TikTok with fake accounts that led to losses for victims ranging from six to seven figures. Leal had to hire a specialized agency that removed around 6,500 fake profiles across various platforms.
In June 2026, attorney Liudmila Marcelo also fell victim to identity theft on social media, where fake appointments with her were sold for $300 each. Earlier, in April, it was reported how criminal networks staged fake immigration courts with actors, causing victims to lose between $1,300 and $11,000. Reports of immigration fraud to the Federal Trade Commission nearly doubled in 2025, from around 960 annually to about 2,000.
"Cleared: it's not Willy Allen, it's a scam," concluded Tania Costa, echoing Willy Allen's final call for consumers to "stay alert and wise up."
Understanding Immigration Fraud in the Digital Age
How are scammers using AI to impersonate professionals?
Scammers use artificial intelligence to create realistic images and videos that mimic the appearance and voice of professionals like lawyers, enabling them to deceive victims into believing they are legitimate.
What should individuals do to avoid falling for immigration scams?
Individuals should verify all communications claiming to be from immigration professionals, avoid unsolicited payment requests, and consult official sources or contact the professional's office directly to confirm legitimacy.
Are there legitimate ways to pay for immigration services?
Yes, legitimate immigration services typically accept payments via credit card in direct communication with clients, ensuring security and traceability.