Indian Subway Owner Charged with Decade-Long Visa Fraud Scheme

Chandrakant 'Lala' Patel, an Indian-origin Subway franchisee owner in Louisiana, has been arrested for orchestrating a decade-long immigration fraud scheme that exploited a US visa programme for crime victims. Patel paid police officials to report fabricated robberies, enabling hundreds of Indian nationals to obtain U-visas. He faces charges of bribery, mail fraud, and money laundering, with penalties of up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Louisiana police have arrested Chandrakant “Lala” Patel, an Indian-origin Subway franchisee owner, for orchestrating a decade-long immigration fraud scheme. Patel, along with three current and former Louisiana police chiefs and two other law enforcement officials, is accused of exploiting the U-visa program, which was designed to protect immigrant victims of violent crimes and encourage cooperation with law enforcement [1].

The scheme involved Patel paying police officials $5,000 per fake report to produce documentation falsely claiming immigrants as victims of armed robbery. This fraudulent documentation was used to obtain U-visas for hundreds of Indian nationals. Patel is charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud, bribery, 24 counts of mail fraud, and 8 counts of money laundering [1].

The operation, which began in December 2015 and continued until July 2025, involved hundreds of payments and fraudulent police reports. Patel, acting as the fixer and financial middleman, collected payments from immigrants and negotiated bribes with law enforcement officials. The scheme is believed to have involved “hundreds” of payments and fraudulent police reports over a decade [1].

The U-visa program was designed to support crime victims willing to assist authorities and prosecute offenders. However, the abuse committed in this Louisiana scheme undermines that intent. The fraudulent reports were sent via mail to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), forming part of the paper trail that enabled beneficiaries to remain in the country legally [1].

Patel faces up to five years for conspiracy, ten years for each visa fraud charge, and twenty years for each mail fraud charge. Each count also carries a potential fine of $250,000. The federal government is seeking forfeiture of any ill-gotten gains, including bank accounts, real estate, and vehicles connected to the alleged crimes [1].

The case is being prosecuted as part of Operation Take Back America, a larger federal crackdown on immigration fraud and official corruption. The affair has rattled local law enforcement and sparked renewed debate about both the vulnerability and the value of the U-visa program [1].

References:
[1] https://www.indiaweekly.biz/indian-american-subway-owner-orchestrated-massive-u-visa-fraud-with-louisiana-police-chiefs/