Five Indian-Americans charged with sex trafficking, visa fraud, forced child labor in Nebraska; details here
The US Attorney's Office, District of Nebraska, revealed the names of the Indian-Americans, which include Amit Prahladbhai 'Amit' Chaudhari, 32, Amit Babubhai 'Matt' Chaudhari, 33, Maheshkumar 'Mahesh' Chaudhari, 38, Rashmi Ajit 'Falguni' Samani, 42, and Kentakumar 'Ken' Chaudhari, 36, owned, ran, and oversaw several hotels in the state. According to the prosecution, these hotels were involved in several illegal schemes.
In a press release, US state attorney Lesley Woods stated that the businesses produced significant illicit profits, and authorities seized over $565,000 in cash that may have been used in money laundering.
Ten minors rescued
Ten juveniles were rescued from a labor trafficking network that compelled youngsters under the age of 12 to work long hours in filthy, dangerous, and unhygienic hotels for little to no pay, according to court filings.
Citing one instance, the Department of Justice, revealed that an informant went into a hotel room and discovered immigrant victims dozing on the floor while cockroaches crawled over them.
'There is no evil greater than the evil that seeks to trap, oppress, and exploit human beings for profit or pleasure,' said Woods in the statement. 'Where that evil exists, Nebraska law enforcement working together at the federal, state, and local levels, as occurred in this case, will seek it, find it, root it out, and ensure every rescued victim has an opportunity to obtain justice and freedom from their captors.'
Also Read: H1-B visa hiring: Major revelation about firms recruiting foreign workers; 'Americans are not aware that…'
Moreover, one of the accused is suspected of abusing the US U visa program, which is intended for victims of specific crimes who have been mistreated and want to help law enforcement with their investigations.
A hotel owner allegedly orchestrated a fictitious robbery of a Brow and Lash salon in 2022 to portray another suspect as a victim of crime in an effort to obtain a U visa for her.
The hotels were also allegedly utilised for narcotics trafficking, according to the complaint. The hotel owners provided security to traffickers, just as they did for human traffickers, the DOJ said.
Smuggling Indian nationals
According to the prosecution, one defendant spoke about the price of transporting someone from India to the US. In previous years, a number of hotel workers had crossed the Arizona border knowing they would be staying at defendant-owned hotels.
Migrants were transported between Nebraska and Washington in order to illegally obtain driver's licenses, which cost around $1,000 each, as per the complaint.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
India's 7th rank in US scheme for children sparks fraud concerns
Ahmedabad: India is the seventh-largest source country in the US Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) programme, according to a US govt report on fraud and security risks published on July 23. Originally designed to protect abused or abandoned children, the programme has grown into a pathway increasingly used by older applicants. It is also the only non-western hemisphere country in the top 10, with most applicants concentrated in New York and California. The findings show that 82% of Indian SIJ petitioners were aged 18 or older and 90% were male, underscoring concerns about possible misuse of a scheme originally intended for abused or neglected children. The report titled "Criminality, gangs and program integrity concerns in special immigrant juvenile petition" was issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate of USCIS analysed SIJ petitions filed from 2014 to 2024 and flagged serious vulnerabilities. Nearly 1,98,500 petitions were approved between 2020 and 2024, with more than half filed by those aged between 18 and 21. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad | Gold Rates Today in Ahmedabad | Silver Rates Today in Ahmedabad The review highlighted security risks: more than 19,000 petitioners were arrested, including at least 120 for murder. Over 500 suspected MS-13 gang members and at least 200 sex offenders gained SIJ approvals. Identity and age fraud were found to be widespread, while a small but concerning number of applicants had links to extremist groups. In the country ranking, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras dominated, reflecting Central American migration flows. But India stood at the seventh place, ahead of Afghanistan and Venezuela. This makes India unique as the only non-western hemisphere country in the top tier of SIJ petitions. The demographic profile of Indian applicants adds to concerns — 82% were 18 or older when they applied, and nine out of 10 were male. Most listed US addresses in New York (57%) or California (20%), two states with large immigrant populations and courts that often process SIJ cases. Analysts say this pattern suggests the use of irregular migration routes by Indian nationals, particularly through Latin America, to position themselves for SIJ eligibility. While India's numbers are modest compared to Central America, its ranking shows the global reach of networks exploiting humanitarian visa channels. The report noted rising SIJ applications from Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, countries with terrorism concerns. For India, this overlap with its wider neighbourhood has security relevance, requiring close monitoring. Another issue is the EB4 visa backlog. SIJs are processed under EB4, the same category used by Indian religious workers and certain professionals. The surge in SIJ petitions increases wait times for other applicants, indirectly affecting legitimate Indian cases. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
HC relief for IIT prof, spouse in cheating plaint
Hyderabad: An IIT-Hyderabad professor and her husband — working as scientific officer at a premier research institute under the dept of atomic energy — has been granted relief by the Telangana high court, after they sought legal recourse against cops for allegedly harassing them. They alleged Telangana CID, in the guise of investigating a USD 65,000 cheating case, had repeatedly summoned them to its office and even threatened them with arrest. The duo alleged that the investigation was conducted only based on an e-mail complaint from a US-based entrepreneur in April 2024. No FIR was lodged. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad | Gold Rates Today in Hyderabad | Silver Rates Today in Hyderabad Previously, in his e-mail to the police, the complainant alleged that the couple defrauded him in the name of developing a non-invasive blood sugar monitoring device. He stated that he made the payment to the couple and their associate for the work — all of whom were shown as directors of an Indian company. Even as police started their investigation in the case, the couple dragged them to court. Disposing of their petition recently, the high court directed the police "not to interfere with the life and liberty" of the couple except in accordance with the law. The court passed the order after the police submitted to the court that the complaint against them was closed as it was "civil in nature". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo The govt counsel also denied the harassment charges and informed the court that Cyberabad police, which initially received the complaint, subsequently forwarded it to the Economic Offences Wing of CID for probe. "After a preliminary inquiry and noting that the alleged transactions between the complainant and the couple took place in the US and no cognisable offence occurred within CID's jurisdiction, the complaint was closed as "civil in nature," the govt counsel told the high court. Recording submissions from both sides, the court issued directions to the police and disposed of the matter. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
4 Indian-origin men held over armed attack in England
AI image LONDON: Four Indian-origin men have been arrested and charged after an armed assault near Wolverhampton in England left three men wounded and a car splattered in blood. Motive not established yet. Police said officers were called to Arbour Drive in Bilston just after 6am Friday following reports of a fight involving several people and bladed weapons. Six people have been arrested in total, with two bailed while inquiries continue. Three of the men charged were caught with the help of two police dogs. Hardeep Singh, 28, of Hounslow; Harpeet Singh, 25, of Leicester; Mukesh Kumar, 30, of Wolverhampton; and Lakwinder Singh, 26, of Smethwick were remanded in custody Sunday to appear before Wolverhampton Magistrates Court Monday. 'A number of teams came together to make quick arrests. Our investigation is moving quickly as we establish exactly what happened,' said detective inspector Adam Keen of Wolverhampton police. 'I would like to reassure the public that we do believe this to be a targeted attack.' A video from the scene shows six masked men dressed in black hoodies brandishing weapons around a white car. The group allegedly forced open two doors, smashed the vehicle, and dragged a man onto the ground while continuing to attack the car. Police later seized a gun. Three men were taken to hospital with serious wounds that are not thought to be life-threatening.
