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H-1B Scam: $10K Duped for Visa Fee, Employer Gone

An Indian worker’s H-1B journey ended in shock, not rejection. You are looking at a case where the sponsoring employer vanished after filing the petition. This episode has reignited concerns about how fraudsters exploit vulnerable Indian workers in the US.

Employer disappears after lottery win

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The worker got selected in the April 2025 H-1B lottery. The US employer filed the petition in July. By December, the company was sold and dissolved, wiping out the petition with no legal entity left to pursue it.

Petition dies without approval

The H-1B petition never received approval. Once the business shut down, there was no sponsor to move the case forward. You are left stranded when your status depends entirely on an employer that no longer exists.

Illegal fee deductions revealed

The fraud deepened when the worker shared details of salary deductions. Since April, the company took over $10,000 for H-1B processing and visa fees. By law, the sponsor must pay these costs, not you.

Silence driven by fear

The fees fall under rules enforced by the Department of Labor and US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The worker stayed silent due to a weak job market and fear of losing both job and visa.

Reporting feels risky

You may think reporting the employer is the right step. There is no assurance it will help someone already searching for a new sponsor. Many fear scrutiny for working with a fraudulent company and possible deportation.

Workers trapped in a broken system

This is a double edged situation. You feel stuck but hesitate to speak up, worried that blame will fall on you. As fear rises, scammers step in and target those desperate to stay employed.

Act early and stay alert

You should not ignore warning signs while chasing an H-1B visa. Report suspicious behaviour early. Waiting too long only strengthens those who profit from your vulnerability.

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Manaswini K

Manaswini is a senior writer with extensive experience covering Telugu cinema, as well as the broader Indian film landscape, including Bollywood, Tamil, and other regional industries. With a strong focus on NRI (Non-R…

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