In the U.S., a major fraud scheme involving fake marriages for green cards has been uncovered, impacting 400 individuals, including many Indians.
A Los Angeles-based marriage agency has been caught orchestrating these fake marriages, charging about $28,000 (around INR 23 lakhs) per deal. The scheme involved paying U.S. nationals $15 lakhs and keeping $8 lakhs for the agency.
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The agency has amassed approximately 70 crores from these fraudulent transactions.
Marriage fraud occurs when individuals enter into marriages solely to evade immigration laws, with one partner seeking to gain U.S. residency or citizenship.
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The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the State Department investigate such cases by reviewing evidence like photos, and social media, and conducting interviews to verify the legitimacy of the marriage.
Types of marriage fraud include U.S. citizens marrying undocumented immigrants for money, or immigrants tricking U.S. citizens for green cards.
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Penalties for involvement in marriage fraud can be severe, including felony charges, imprisonment for up to five years, and fines of up to $250,000.
