Indian National in West Virginia pleads guilty to marriage fraud and identity theft
A 29-year-old Indian national unlawfully living in West Virginia has pleaded guilty to aggravated
identity theft
in connection with a
marriage fraud
scheme aimed at bypassing
US immigration laws
, according to a report by
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
.
According to a statement from the US Attorney's Office,
Aakash Prakash Makwana
admitted to entering into a fraudulent marriage with a US citizen in exchange for $10,000, with the intention of obtaining lawful permanent resident status. The investigation received support from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (
USCIS
).
Court records show that Makwana entered the United States on a J-1 non-immigrant visa on November 23, 2019. He acknowledged in court that his visa expired on November 24, 2020, and that he remained in the country without legal status after that date.
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In August 2021, Makwana began conspiring with others to arrange a marriage for immigration purposes. He married a US citizen on September 3, 2021, while living in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and working without legal authorization.
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As part of the scheme, Makwana falsified a lease agreement to show that he and the US citizen lived together. He also added the individual's name to utility bills and bank accounts. Makwana admitted to using the property manager's name and signature on the lease without permission, which led to the charge of aggravated identity theft.
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When the fraudulent marriage did not result in legal status, Makwana submitted a Form I-360 to USCIS, falsely claiming he was a victim of domestic abuse. He admitted that he filed the petition to remain in the country while the application was reviewed and to improve his chances of receiving a Green Card.
Makwana is scheduled to be sentenced on September 26, 2025. He faces prison time, financial penalties, and possible removal from the United States.
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