ICE Impersonators – New Extortion Scam Targeting Illegal Aliens in the U.S.

The Deportation Threat: ICE Impersonators Engaged in a New Extortion Scam Targeting Undocumented Hispanic Immigrants (Illegal Aliens) in the U.S.

ICE Impersonators are involved in a new extortion scam emerging in the United States, targeting one of the most vulnerable and voiceless populations: undocumented Hispanic immigrants (illegal aliens). These scams are not only financially devastating, but they may also result in actual deportation, making them a dual threat. What makes this fraud particularly disturbing is the possibility that scammers appear to be actively reporting their victims to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after defrauding them, ensuring they cannot report the crime or seek restitution.

This new tactic blends elements of extortion, government impersonation, and ethnic targeting. It preys on fear, language barriers, and a lack of familiarity with U.S. immigration procedures. It is designed to isolate and manipulate individuals who have few resources, little legal recourse, and minimal support. While only a small number of these scams have been reported so far, the potential for rapid growth is significant, and the consequences are severe.

How the Scam Works

This extortion scam usually begins with an unsolicited phone call, text message, or email from someone claiming to be an ICE agent. We are told that the communication comes in Spanish and appears official. It claims that the recipient has a deportation order against them and that ICE agents will arrive later that day to detain and remove them from the United States. The message is crafted to instill immediate panic.

Once the fear takes hold, the ICE Impersonators (scammers) offer a lifeline. They claim there is a way to halt or delay the deportation. The target is told they can pay a fee of $5,000 (or more) to extend their stay in the U.S. by one year. The payment must be made immediately to avoid arrest. The scammer gives two options: payment in bitcoin, which can be sent through a nearby cryptocurrency ATM, or payment in cash, to be picked up in person by a so-called “ICE Officer” (ICE Impersonators).

The ICE Impersonators assure the victim that once payment is received, their details will be entered into an official ICE system, and they will receive a confirmation by email or text showing they are temporarily safe from deportation. In some versions of the scam, fake ICE registration numbers or confirmation documents were reported to be provided.

Likely Ties to Mexican Cartels?

Initial intelligence suggests that these ICE impersonation extortion scams may be linked to organized crime in Mexico, specifically, cartels with experience in extortion and fraud targeting the Hispanic community. One suspect group is the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), known for its ruthless tactics and diversified criminal portfolio.

CJNG is one of the most powerful and violent cartels in Mexico. In addition to trafficking drugs, weapons, and humans, they are increasingly involved in cyber-enabled crimes such as phishing scams, crypto fraud, and telephone extortion. This cartel operates professionalized scam call centers in Mexico, often with scripts and training. For scams targeting U.S.-based Spanish-speaking immigrants, the calls are likely made from these call centers, while local cartel affiliates in American cities handle in-person cash pickups.

CJNG’s expansion into financial crime has been driven by its strategic goal to generate high profits with lower risk than drug trafficking. By targeting undocumented immigrants who cannot safely report the crime, these scams carry minimal risk of law enforcement backlash, especially when the victims are removed from the country soon after.

However, note that the identity of the organization behind these scams is not certain, and the Venezuelan ‘Tren de Aragua’ group is also suspected.

A Sinister Twist

In the most disturbing variation of this scam, after the victim has paid, the ICE impersonators appear to notify ICE with the victim’s real name and location. The victim, now believing they are protected, lets their guard down. Then they can be arrested and deported.

Whether or not this step is consistently part of the scam, or just an outcome of the scammer having sensitive data is not yet clear. What is clear is that these victims are rarely in a position to report the crime or seek justice. Many fear that speaking up could trigger further legal consequences or retaliation.

Why It Works

This extortion scam succeeds because it targets people who live under constant fear and uncertainty. Undocumented immigrants (illegal aliens) are already suspicious of authority and typically have a limited understanding of immigration policies. They are more likely to believe that ICE would accept cash or bitcoin as part of some shadowy negotiation process. The ICE Impersonators create just enough believability to seem plausible, especially when urgency and threats are used.

Many of the victims are isolated, speak limited English, and may not know their rights or the standard procedures of ICE. Even legal immigrants who do not fully understand their status or who lack knowledge of official processes could fall for the scam. The psychological manipulation at work here is direct: confuse, threaten, offer hope, then extort.

Victim Impact

The consequences are profound. These extortion scam victims not only lose thousands of dollars, but in some cases, their personal information is handed over to real authorities. Even if ICE does not act on this information, the fear that they might is enough to silence victims.

A person who is defrauded and then arrested has no recourse. They may be deported before anyone is even aware that a scam took place. There is no one to speak for them. No formal investigation. No case number. The trail goes cold. And that makes this scam nearly impossible to track and shut down without major public awareness.

Broader Implications

What makes this scam so dangerous is that it blurs the lines between criminal extortion and real law enforcement outcomes. If scammers are actively reporting their victims to ICE, then they are weaponizing the legal system to cover their tracks. That is a terrifying evolution in scam behavior.

There is also a real risk that this could begin affecting documented immigrants, especially those who are not fluent in English or who are unaware of the proper channels for immigration enforcement. Any immigrant who is vulnerable, isolated, or under-informed could fall victim.

This creates a chilling effect. Immigrant communities may become more secretive, more isolated, and less likely to report scams, crimes, or even seek medical or legal help. The scam not only steals money but creates further division between vulnerable populations and the systems that are supposed to protect them.

What Needs to Happen

Awareness must come first. Organizations that work with immigrant populations should be informed about this scam and equipped to educate their communities.

ICE and other official agencies must publicly and clearly state that they do not collect payments in bitcoin or cash for deportation delays. That must be communicated in Spanish and reinforced repeatedly. Misinformation must be replaced with solid, accessible facts.

Victim support networks should be prepared to work confidentially with victims who fear deportation. These people need to be able to report what happened without risking arrest or exposure. That means hotlines, translators, and legal advocacy must be ready.

The SCARS Institute in the U.S. and in Mexico maintains the confidentiality of all scam victim communications, unless otherwise authorized.

Finally, law enforcement should treat this as a priority. It is not just fraud. It is fraud with devastating human consequences. It is the exploitation of fear on a systemic level.

Conclusion

This new ICE Impersonators extortion scam is not just a financial crime. It is a predatory scheme that takes advantage of fear, language barriers, and isolation. By targeting undocumented Hispanic immigrants and possibly tipping off authorities after extracting payments, the perpetrators of this fraud are committing one of the most destructive types of scams imaginable.

Even if only few cases have been reported so far, the potential for rapid spread is enormous. It preys on those who have the least ability to defend themselves. Public awareness, preventive education, and urgent law enforcement action are all required.

Because in this scam, silence is not just dangerous. It is exactly what the scammers are counting on.