Visa Fraud Scheme Uncovered in North Texas
Two North Texans, a law firm, and a business have been indicted on fraud and money laundering charges in connection with an alleged years-long visa racket scheme.
The U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of Texas announced that 39-year-old Abdul Hadi Murshid and 35-year-old Muhammad Salman Nasir, in conjunction with the Dallas-based Law Offices of D. Robert Jones and a business entity called Reliable Ventures Inc., were charged with visa fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, money laundering conspiracy, and unlawfully obtaining and attempting to obtain United States citizenship.
The Charges
They also reportedly violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO laws, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
According to the indictment, the defendants participated in the alleged visa fraud scheme “to enrich themselves and others.”
How the Scheme Worked
The U.S. attorney’s office said they did this by first placing classified advertisements in a daily periodical for “non-existent jobs.” The advertisements were placed to satisfy a Department of Labor requirement of offering a position to United States citizens before hiring foreign nationals.
According to the indictment, to make the jobs appear legitimate, the defendants allegedly accepted payments from visa seekers and returned a portion of the money to them as purported payroll.
After receiving certification from the Department of Labor, the U.S. attorney’s office said the defendants then filed a petition to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to obtain visas, while simultaneously submitting applications for legal permanent residence so the visa seekers could also obtain a green card.
Law Enforcement Response
“The defendants allegedly oversaw an international criminal enterprise for years that repeatedly undermined our nation’s immigration laws,” FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock said in a written statement. “These laws are necessary to protect national security and safeguard the lawful immigration process.
“The FBI and our law enforcement partners will hold any individual accountable that misuses their position of trust for personal profit.”
Possible Penalties
If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
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Conclusion
The indictment of the two North Texans, a law firm, and a business on fraud and money laundering charges is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat visa fraud and protect the integrity of the U.S. immigration system. The case highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the need for vigilance in preventing the exploitation of immigration laws for personal gain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the case:
Q: What are the charges against the defendants? A: The defendants are charged with visa fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, money laundering conspiracy, and unlawfully obtaining and attempting to obtain United States citizenship.
Q: How did the scheme work? A: The defendants placed classified advertisements for non-existent jobs, accepted payments from visa seekers, and returned a portion of the money as purported payroll. They then filed petitions for visas and applications for legal permanent residence.
Q: What are the possible penalties for the defendants? A: If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Q: What is the significance of the case? A: The case highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the need for vigilance in preventing the exploitation of immigration laws for personal gain.
