AI-Generated Videos Impersonating Miami Immigration Attorney Used in Fraud
Immigration attorney Angel Leal reported that scammers used AI-generated videos and deepfakes to impersonate him and defraud immigrants seeking legal representation. A Bronx resident was reportedly defrauded of $4,820 in this scheme, part of a broader wave of identity theft targeting immigration attorneys during a period of heightened immigration enforcement.
What happened
Immigration attorney Angel Leal discovered in October 2025 that scammers had impersonated him to defraud immigrants seeking legal representation. Scammers used AI-generated videos and voice clones to create fake immigration hearings over Zoom, along with his photos, names, and signatures on fraudulent profiles and websites.
A Bronx resident was reportedly defrauded of $4,820 through this scheme. Leal reported receiving one to two calls daily from people who had been scammed, and said an anti-piracy company he hired found and took down over 6,600 fake videos and profiles in June alone.
Reported impact
Immigrants seeking legal representation during a period of heightened immigration enforcement became vulnerable to the fraud, particularly those affected by the Trump administration's termination of Temporary Protected Status. The scheme targeted vulnerable immigrants who were confused and fearful about their legal status.
Leal filed a report with the Doral Police Department, and expressed concern that victimized immigrants may be hesitant to report to police because of their immigration status.
Index analysis
The FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report noted that Americans reported nearly $893 million in AI-enabled scam losses, with Florida receiving 350 AI-related complaints involving nearly $39.9 million in reported losses.
The American Immigration Lawyer's Association and American Bar Association have documented widespread AI-generated scams targeting immigration attorneys, including fraudulent websites and social media sites using AI-generated logos and contracts with stolen branding.
Governance controls
The American Bar Association has issued multiple alerts and published articles to help lawyers whose identities have been stolen. Leal and other immigration attorneys are working together to create guidance for lawyers who discover their identities are being used in scams.
Neither the Doral Police Department nor the Florida Attorney General's Office responded to media inquiries about the case.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.