Feds bust immigrant asylum scam

PHILADELPHIA - July 29, 2008 Now they know.

And they now know why the Feds raided the place last year.

"A scheme based on lies, deceit and greed," said John Kelleghan of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The government says Lynn and five co-defendants, including his father-in-law, operated out of an office building in Northeast Philadelphia and three other locations in Bucks County.

They allegedly promised illegal immigrants permanent residency in the U.S. by applying for asylum.

Investigators say Lynn posed as a lawyer.

Acting U.S. Attorney Laurie Magid says, "Lynn made a very good pitch to them, guaranteeing they would gt legal status."

But only a handful of Lynn's 380 clients from around the country made it through the system by claiming they would face oppression if they returned home.

Prosecutors say Lynn collected over $3 million in cash, charging his alleged victims anywhere from $8,000 to $12,000.

When federal agents raided his house, they found $562,000 in a safe in the basement floor and two gold bars.

No one came to the door at Lynn's house today.

He's agreed to turn himself in sometime this week.

The government is also dealing with the illegal immigrants he allegedly ripped off.

"The majority of them are in removal proceedings or some of them have already left the country knowing they were going to be deported," Magid said.

If Lynn is convicted, he'll be trading his big house for the real Big House. He faces up to 65 years in jail.

Click here to get the latest Philadelphia news and headlines from across the Delaware and Lehigh valleys.

Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.