Hundreds of staged armed robberies helped thousands pose as crime victims in US immigration scam: DOJ

What happened: Parth Nayi of Illinois was sentenced to two years in federal prison for organizing hundreds of staged armed robberies and coaching participants to apply for U visas reserved for crime victims. Key numbers: Nayi sentenced to two years; purported victims paid as much as $30,000; more than a dozen locations identified in the 2024 indictment; five others besides Nayi Why it matters: Prosecutors said Nayi significantly corrupted the federal U-Visa program, and Rep. Christopher Smith called abuse of the trafficking victim program especially egregious and urged full prosecution.

Parth Nayi of Illinois was sentenced to two years in federal prison for organizing hundreds of staged armed robberies and coaching participants to apply for U visas reserved for crime victims.

Prosecutors said Nayi significantly corrupted the federal U-Visa program, and Rep. Christopher Smith called abuse of the trafficking victim program especially egregious and urged full prosecution.