Gujarat Man Jailed in U-Visa Scam: 20-Month US Prison Term

A Gujarat man has been sentenced to 20 months in a US federal prison for orchestrating 18 staged armed robberies as part of a U-visa fraud scheme.

According to US prosecutors, the convict and his associates carried out fake robberies at convenience stores and gas stations in several states, using weapons to make the crimes appear genuine. The staged incidents were then reported to law enforcement to obtain U-visas, which are reserved for victims of certain crimes who assist in investigations.

Investigations revealed that the staged robberies were part of a wider conspiracy to exploit the US immigration system. Several individuals were found to have falsely claimed victim status to secure immigration benefits.

The court noted that the fraud undermined both public trust and the integrity of the visa program designed to protect genuine victims of crime.

The convict, originally from Gujarat, will serve his sentence in the US before facing further immigration proceedings.