NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
White Sulphur Springs, WV, June 2, 2025: Aakash Prakash Makwana, a 29-year-old Indian national, has pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and marriage fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. The charges stem from a scheme to unlawfully remain in the United States by fraudulently marrying a U.S. citizen.
Makwana, who was living in White Sulphur Springs and working without legal authorization, entered the United States on a J-1 nonimmigrant visa, typically issued for hospitality and culinary services, which is valid for one year. According to court records, around August 2021, he conspired with others to marry a U.S. citizen in exchange for $10,000, with the intent of applying for lawful permanent resident status—a Green Card.
As part of the scheme, Makwana married the U.S. citizen on September 3, 2021. He then took several steps to make the marriage appear legitimate, including falsifying a residential lease agreement to show that the couple lived together. He added the U.S. citizen’s name to his utility bills and bank accounts. Makwana later admitted that he had included the name and forged the signature of the residential property’s manager on the fake lease agreement without authorization—an act that constituted aggravated identity theft.
After the marriage arrangement fell apart, Makwana escalated the fraud by submitting Form I-360 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), falsely claiming he was a victim of domestic violence and emotional abuse by his U.S. citizen spouse. He admitted that the claims were fabricated and were intended to allow him to remain in the United States while the petition was being considered, thereby increasing his chances of obtaining a Green Card.
Makwana is scheduled to be sentenced on September 26. He faces a mandatory minimum of two years in federal prison for the identity theft charge, which must be served consecutively to any additional penalties. He may also face financial penalties and potential deportation from the United States.
