Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced for Staging Robberies to Help Others Fraudulently Apply for Immigration Visas

CHICAGO - A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for conspiring to stage armed robberies so purported victims could apply for U.S. immigration visas reserved for crime victims. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance during the investigation. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois made the announcement.

From 2022 to 2024, Parth Nayi, 29, of Woodridge, Ill., organized and participated in hundreds of staged armed robberies at coffee shops, restaurants, liquor stores, and gas stations throughout the country, including in Chicago and suburbs. Nayi worked with others to recruit fake victims, pay off store owners to use their locations, coordinate and pay fake robbers, and coach the bogus victims through the plan. Thousands of individuals who posed as victims each paid Nayi $5,000 to $30,000 to participate in the scam to later apply for nonimmigrant U visas. U visas are reserved for aliens who are victims of certain crimes and are helpful to law enforcement in the investigation.

During the staged robberies, individuals acting as robbers brandished what appeared to be firearms, approached the purported victims, and demanded money. The purported victims then submitted forms to local law enforcement to obtain certification they were victims of a qualifying crime and were helpful in the investigation. Once they received the certification, they then submitted fraudulent U visa applications to USCIS based on their alleged status as robbery victims.

Nayi pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiracy to commit visa fraud. On Oct. 22, U.S. District Judge Mary M. Rowland sentenced Nayi to two years in federal prison and fined him $50,000.

The sentence was announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois, FBI Chicago Field Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.

Five other individuals have also been convicted as part of the federal investigation.

To report suspected immigration benefit fraud or abuse to USCIS, please use the USCIS Tip Form.

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