Aakash Prakash Makwana, an Indian man, fell into criminal behavior when he tried to make his life in the U.S. Having been caught with serious consequences, Makwana admitted as guilty to aggravated identity theft for taking part in a fraudulent scheme involving both a fake marriage and false identity claims against the U.S. authorities.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has announced that he has pleaded guilty, highlighting the important development in how far some will go to evade laws.
Overstaying Welcome: The Foundation of Fraud
Krishna Makwana’s move into crime was quite simple. He entered the United States on November 23, 2019, with a J-1 visa which is usually issued to scholars, interns and researchers on exchange programs. The court heard from Makwana that he was aware this visa was limited to just one year of validity.
Even though he learned about the risks, he stayed in the United States without permission on November 24, 2020 and settled in Ronceverte, West Virginia. By August 2021, he had begun living and working illegally in White Sulphur Springs which would lead to his next desperate action.
The $10,000 Deal: Fabricating a Life
Because he knew his status was illegal and that deportation could happen, he chose to deal with the problem by deceiving others instead of following any legal process.
According to evidence gathered by the court, in August 2021, he planned with some people to engage in a fraudulent matrimony with someone from the United States.
Those caught use an illegal bragging right and they have to pay a $10,000 fine.
After meeting her, Makwana proposed and they got married on September 3, 2021, when Kalee was 28. Still, a basic marriage certificate was not enough to pass inspection, since immigration officials are on the lookout for possible scams. He understood he had to make the audience feel they were experiencing a real life.
He carefully made up the proof that he would use.
- He lied about having an apartment together by falsifying a lease for a place in Ronceverte.
- Makwana was caught falsifying a lease which the police believed caused the aggravated identity theft charge: Makwana acknowledged writing and signing the property manager’s name, done without the manager knowing or giving his permission.
- Changed Utility Bills (In Writing): To look more like a married couple, he had his wife’s name put on his accounts and bills so that the processing agencies would not question their lack of shared expenses.
When Fraud Fails: Doubling Down with False Abuse Claims
Makwana despairs because the scheme failed and his immigration status had become more volatile. This led him to take a much worse course of action. He sent a Form I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er) or Special Immigrant to USCIS.
This petition came to be based on false information. Makwana admitted in court that he lied by bringing up domestic violence and emotional abuse at the hands of Kalee Ann Huff.
He confessed he had filed to extend his time in the U.S. while his false claims were reviewed, with the aim of giving himself a better opportunity to get permanent residency. He broke the law by exploiting a rule meant to save genuine victims which adds to his guilt.
