Federal indictment accuses Gujarat-origin businessman and law enforcement officials of fabricating crime reports to aid fraudulent U-visa applications
A major visa fraud operation involving an Indian-origin businessman and four US law enforcement officers has come under federal scrutiny in Louisiana. Chandrakant ‘Lala’ Patel, a Non-Resident Indian from Gujarat, has been charged alongside four police officials in a 62-count indictment for allegedly orchestrating a U-visa scam that exploited provisions meant for undocumented immigrants who are victims of serious crimes, reported gulte.com.
Patel is accused of paying police officials $5,000 per false police report to enable foreign nationals to claim victimhood and obtain U-visas under fraudulent circumstances.
The U-visa program, established in 2000, is designed to offer legal status to immigrants who assist law enforcement in crime investigations or prosecutions. However, according to US Attorney Alex Van Hook of the Western District of Louisiana, the accused fabricated serious crime reports to falsely portray individuals as victims. “This egregious abuse undermines the integrity of both our immigration system and the justice system,” Van Hook said.
US authorities say Chandrakant Patel masterminded a visa fraud racket by bribing police officers to submit fake crime reports, enabling undocumented immigrants to illegally obtain legal residency
Law Enforcement Officials Named in Indictment
The four officers charged include:
- Chad Doyle, Police Chief of Oakdale
- Michael Freck Slaney, Ward 5 Marshal’s Office
- Glynn Dixon, Police Chief of Forest Hill
- Tebo Onishea, former Police Chief of Glenmora
According to court documents, Patel paid each of them for every fraudulent report created under the guise of helping crime victims, which enabled numerous immigrants to exploit the U-visa pathway. The reports identified individuals—many with the last name Patel—as supposed victims of armed robberies or other violent incidents that never actually occurred.
“This is a serious breach of public trust,” Van Hook noted, adding that further charges may be brought as the investigation progresses. The indictment also raises concerns over how easily public systems can be manipulated when ethical safeguards are disregarded.
Larger Pattern of Abuse Emerging
This case follows other similar incidents involving Indian-origin individuals misusing U-visas. Earlier this year, two men in Massachusetts admitted to staging armed robberies to help store workers fraudulently claim U-visa protections. The trend has prompted calls for tighter oversight of visa-related claims and better verification protocols.
If convicted, the defendants face substantial prison time and financial penalties. The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed it is still reviewing evidence and may expand the investigation further.
