Indian National Arrested For H-1B Visa Fraud Conspiracy

An Indian national, Ashish Sawhney has been arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit visa fraud and for inducing foreign nationals to come to the United States using fraudulently obtained H-1B visas.

Ashish allegedly used 4 corporations to orchestrate the improper submission of fraudulent applications for H-1B work visas, federal prosecutors said.

Ashish submitted or caused to be submitted H-1B visa application documents stating that the foreign workers named in the applications would perform a specific job, where in fact, no such job existed at the time of filing, the prosecutors said.

Arrested on Thursday, Ashish was charged with 2 counts of conspiracy, 3 counts of inducing an alien to come to and live in America for commercial advantage or private financial gain, and 1 count of attempted naturalization fraud.

Sawhney generated gross profits of approximately $21 million, from 2011 to 2016, the prosecutors said. If convicted, Sawhney faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Ashish Sawhney also attempted to naturalize as a US citizen by submitting an application containing false statements, they said.