Houston Attorney Indicted on Fraud Charges

Federal authorities charged a local immigration lawyer with deceiving clients about their visa applications.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Financial Crime

Houston Attorney Indicted on Fraud Charges

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Federal authorities have indicted 44-year-old Houston immigration attorney Alla Nowowiejski for mail fraud and making false statements. Investigators allege she accepted payments for visa applications that were never submitted while providing clients with fraudulent documentation.

Why it matters

The indictment highlights the vulnerabilities of individuals seeking immigration assistance from private legal practitioners. By allegedly providing fake reference numbers from unrelated cases, the accused reportedly maintained a facade of legitimacy to deceive her clients.

Alla Nowowiejski currently faces federal charges of mail fraud and making false statements. If convicted, she faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and fines reaching $250,000.

The players

Alla Nowowiejski

She is a 44-year-old immigration attorney practicing in Houston who was indicted on federal fraud charges.

Joseph James Nantomah

He is a 49-year-old individual recently sentenced to four years in federal prison for a separate $2.7 million fraud operation.

US Attorney's Office

This federal agency is responsible for the prosecution of criminal cases within the Southern District of Texas.

The details

Prosecutors claim that Nowowiejski misled clients by filing applications only in part or failing to file them entirely. The case follows a recent federal sentencing of Joseph James Nantomah, who received four years in prison for a separate $2.7 million fraud scheme.

September 18, 2026: Joseph James Nantomah was sentenced in a separate fraud case.
September 25, 2026: The US Attorney's Office announced the indictment of Alla Nowowiejski.

Legal Context

This case falls under the federal mail fraud statute, which is frequently used by prosecutors to target systemic deception in private legal and consulting services. These indictments reflect a broader trend of federal oversight into immigration service providers.

Residents seeking immigration services are advised to verify application status directly through official government portals rather than relying solely on private counsel. This case underscores the importance of monitoring official records to ensure legal documents have been properly filed.

The takeaway

Individuals should always seek confirmation of application status via official federal immigration channels when hiring private legal counsel. Maintaining personal copies of all filed paperwork and official receipts is a vital safeguard against potential fraud in legal services.