An Iranian national, Hesam Fatehi Peykani, has been charged in an unsealed indictment for his alleged involvement in a visa fraud scheme that facilitated the illegal entry of individuals from Iran into the United States. Court documents reveal that Peykani, 38, organized and led a smuggling network based in Iran, collaborating with others to deceive U.S. authorities.
Peykani is accused of charging Iranian citizens between $1,000 and $30,000 to submit fraudulent tourist visa applications on their behalf at nearby U.S. consulates or embassies. The applications contained false information, portraying the applicants as having strong ties to Iran, to increase their chances of obtaining a U.S. tourist visa. However, many of these individuals intended to remain in the United States permanently. Peykani allegedly coached the applicants to lie during their visa interviews and even provided them with fraudulent documents to support their false claims.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division emphasized the importance of prosecuting those who undermine the legal immigration system, stating that Peykani “fraudulently facilitated the entry of Iranian citizens into the United States when they were not entitled to otherwise do so.”
U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia stressed the commitment to hold accountable individuals who compromise the integrity of the immigration process for personal gain.
The case was investigated by the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Criminal Fraud Investigations Branch, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., Field Office. The cooperative efforts of law enforcement agencies disrupted and dismantled human smuggling operations associated with Peykani’s network.
Peykani has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and commit visa fraud, visa fraud, conspiracy to encourage and induce an alien to come to the United States for profit, and encouraging and inducing an alien to come to the United States for profit. If convicted, he could face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to identify and prosecute individuals involved in fraudulent immigration schemes, safeguarding the integrity of the immigration process and national security.
News source : Department of Justice