Did an Indian-Origin Businessman and Police Chiefs Engage in US Visa Fraud?

New York, July 18 (NationPress) An Indian-origin businessman, along with police chiefs from three US cities, has been charged with visa fraud, allegedly taking advantage of a provision meant to assist crime victims.

Chandrakant “Lala” Patel allegedly paid law enforcement in three Louisiana municipalities to fabricate armed robbery cases, naming individuals he suggested as victims to help them apply for visas designed for crime victims, officials reported on Wednesday.

A federal grand jury has issued charges of fraud and conspiracy against the individuals involved, including a marshal, as stated by acting federal prosecutor Alexander Van Hook in Lafayette, Louisiana.

In the American judicial system, a grand jury is a group of citizens that assesses whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant charges.

Patel, who himself secured a visa intended for crime victims, reportedly compensated police officials $5,000 for each individual he directed to them for fictitious crimes, as outlined in court documents.

These visas, known as “U Visas”, are intended to permit individuals to remain in the US to testify in legal cases.

The documentation identifies 25 individuals with the surname Patel, represented only by initials, who were falsely reported as victims by the police.

Both Patel and the police officials were aware that those posing as “cooperating victims” had never actually been victims of crimes, according to the charges.

In another incident in Louisiana, Allison Doyle, the spouse of Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle, was taken into custody on state corruption allegations, as reported by KPLC TV.

While she has not been charged federally, her husband has, alongside Police Chiefs Glynn Dixon of Forest Hill, Tebo Onishea of Glenmora, and Oakdale Marshal Michael Slaney.

Chandrakant Patel operates two retail stores and a fast-food restaurant.

Court records indicate that officials have traced $230,000 and property valued at $51,000 linked to Patel in this case.

There have been multiple instances of Indian involvement in visa fraud related to crime victims.

In a recent Massachusetts federal court case, two Indian-origin men confessed in May to staging armed robberies to allow store employees or owners to obtain U Visas.

Officials stated that Rambhai Patel and Balwinder Singh orchestrated fake armed robberies at a minimum of nine different locations, including shops, liquor stores, and fast-food outlets across the US. They are currently awaiting sentencing.

According to court documents from that case, a person acting as a “robber” would threaten employees or owners with a firearm and rob them while the incident was recorded.

Those claiming victim status would wait until the “robber” had escaped before contacting law enforcement.

Individuals claiming to be victims paid Patel, with one instance involving a payment of $20,000 to stage a robbery.