Delco Man Got $20K Posing As Immigration Lawyer: AG Shapiro

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — A Delaware County man is being sued by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who alleges he scammed Pennsylvanians by falsely identifying himself as an immigration attorney and collecting at least $20,000 for services he didn't provide.

Shapiro Wednesday announced his Bureau of Consumer Protection filed a lawsuit against Syed Qumrazzaman, also known as Syed Zaman, of Upper Darby.

The suit alleges Qumrazzaman solicited clients by word of mouth at religious services, even though he was not a licensed attorney.

Qumrazzaman used his stature in the community to gain confidence and defraud people looking for legal aid, the AG's office alleges.

During meetings at his home, Qumrazzaman told clients about forms he would prepare and submit on for them, as well as how much those services would cost, the AG's office said.

On at least one occasion, Qumrazzaman met with clients in front of the Courthouse at 9th and Market Streets in Philadelphia. When his clients arrived, however, Qumrazzaman told them their appointments had been "canceled" and would be re-scheduled, according to the lawsuit.

Shapiro's office said Qumrazzaman took cash payments and directed consumers to deposit large sums of money into his personal bank account.

Qumrazzaman got at least $20,000.00 through his scam and regularly called his clients to provide false updates on their "cases," requesting additional payments to move the cases along, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, restitution, civil penalties and other equitable relief as authorized by law.

Qumruzaman was criminally prosecuted by the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office for this unlawful conduct, according to Shapiro's office. As a result, Qumruzaman pleaded guilty with the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office for theft by deception and the unauthorized practice of law.

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