ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – As federal immigration enforcement ramps up, scammers are trying to cash in. The New Mexico Department of Justice and the State Bar of New Mexico are warning New Mexicans of rising numbers of online scammers posing as immigration attorneys.

"To see people abuse the trust relationship that clients have with attorneys is really disappointing and disheartening," said Anjana Samant, deputy counsel at NMDOJ.

Samant said the scammers often reach out on social media, posing under the names or even license numbers of legitimate attorneys. Preying on vulnerable immigrants, the scammers often give incorrect legal advice, may request immigration documents, and request money under false pretenses.

"They may be losing hard-earned money, and once that money is gone, it can

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