U.S. Visa Invitation Letters for Sale—$16,000 a Piece

 

The U.S. State Department has announced it is searching for Philip Ming Wong, a fugitive who has been indicted for his role in a visa fraud scheme.

“Operation Shell Games” Targeted Brokers Who Supplied Chinese Citizens with False Documents and Fraudulent Visa Applications 

United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello and Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Special Agent In-Charge, Patrick Durkin announced that PHILIP MING WONG has been indicted for his role in a non-immigrant visa fraud scheme.

According to an indictment filed on September 9, 2008, PHILLIP MING WONG and his coconspirators are alleged to have operated three Bay Area companies, which existed mostly on paper and conducted no legitimate business from 1999 through 2001. PHILLIP MING WONG and his coconspirators are further alleged to have sold invitation letters from these three false or shell companies to 119 ordinary citizens of China for fees ranging up to $16,000 a piece. Lastly, it is alleged that these citizens then applied for non-immigrant visas at the American Embassy in China, using the false invitation letters and masquerading as Chinese business people doing commerce with the three false companies. In many of the 119 cases, the United States Embassy in China accepted the invitation letters sold by PHILLIP MING WONG and his co-conspirators, and issued non-immigrant visas to the Chinese citizens posing as business travelers.

PHILLIP MING WONG was indicted on one count of Conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, eight counts of Visa Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1546, six counts of Harboring Aliens for Financial Gain, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1324, and one count of Money Laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956. The maximum statutory penalty for these violations is five years imprisonment per count.

“Operation Shell Games” is yet another example of the Diplomatic Security Service’s vigilance in combating visa and passport fraud. We investigate multi-defendant criminal enterprises that broker in false visas, false immigration forms, and other false documents, to keep imposters and criminals out of the country,” Special Agent In-Charge Patrick Durkin of the Diplomatic Security Service, San Francisco Field Office stated.

PHILLIP MING WONG is considered a fugitive and is believed to be residing in Macao, the People’s Republic of China. Anyone with information about PHILLIP MING WONG’s whereabouts or any other false or fraudulent visa scheme is encouraged to contact DSS at (415) 705-1176.

Please note, an indictment contains only allegations against an individual and, as with all defendants, the defendants must be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Hat tip to the Experience Not Logic blog.