NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A Sheepshead Bay paralegal was charged after falsely promising legal services to immigrants and allegedly charging them thousands of dollars, prosecutors said.
Zoya Shamilova, 38, allegedly tricked immigrants seeking to navigate federal requirements, with no legal work actually conducted under their name.
Shamilova, who was employed by Shepelsky Law Group and was fired after the incident, allegedly promised assistance with immigration services, including green card applications and Temporary Protected Status, and charged victims amounts ranging from $4,500 to $16,250, according to prosecutors.
The fraud came to light when a client texted the law firm's founder, Marina Shepelsky, to check on her case, mentioning she had worked with Shamilova.
After investigating and finding documents proving the fraud, Shepelsky fired Shamilova and reported the issue to the authorities.
The victims, who were from Poland, Ukraine, Serbia, India, and Kazakhstan, received no services.
"We allege that this defendant tried to enrich herself by targeting individuals from our vulnerable immigrant communities," Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. "In Brooklyn, we are committed to protecting our friends and neighbors in all immigrant communities from those who attempt to prey on them."
She faces charges including grand larceny, immigrant assistance services fraud, and practicing law without a license, according to the indictment.
After taking payments, Shamilova allegedly never filed petitions and ignored or made excuses when clients asked for updates.
Two undocumented individuals were allegedly threatened with immigration authorities after questioning Shamilova's work.
"Shamilova lured vulnerable individuals with promises of cheaper legal services as they navigated the immigration process," Special Agent-in-Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Ivan J. Arvelo said. "She is accused not only of stealing from her victims but then threatening their livelihoods when they began to question her scheme."
Shamilova was released without bail and is due back in court on Jan. 17, 2024.
