South Texas woman arrested for posing as federal agent in two separate fraud schemes

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 29-year-old Brownsville resident is now in federal custody for impersonating a federal agent and wire fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.

Mayra Collins is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Julie Hampton April 30 at 9:45 a.m.

According to the now unsealed five-count indictment, Collins fraudulently posed as a federal agent with various agencies in 2022 and again in 2025.

She had first allegedly posed as an immigration officer employed by the United States to carry out a Visa fraud scheme. The charges allege she falsely represented she could expedite the process for obtaining U.S. Visas and took money from four victims.

In 2025, Collins pretended to be a Border Patrol agent with influence in the hiring of employees, according to the indictment. She allegedly told another victim there were job positions available, but they would have to send money to her for uniforms and ballistic vests prior to beginning employment.

The charges allege Collins never worked for the United States and had no power to provide victims of her schemes with Visas or employment with BP.

If convicted, Collins faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the two wire fraud counts as well as another three years for the impersonation charges. She could also be ordered to pay a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

CBP - Office of Professional Responsibility conducted the investigation in a coordinated effort with the FBI's McAllen Border Corruption Task Force with assistance from the Cameron County District Attorney's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Bird and Tyler Foster are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.