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Fraud

Indian-Americans Charged in Nebraska with Sex Trafficking, Visa Fraud, and Money Laundering

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The US Attorney's Office, District of Nebraska, has charged five Indian-Americans with sex trafficking, visa fraud, and money laundering involving over $565,000. The individuals, including Amit and Mahesh Chaudhari, and Rashmi Samani, owned and ran several hotels in the state, which were allegedly involved in several illegal schemes. The hotels produced significant illicit profits, and authorities seized over $565,000 in cash that may have been used in money laundering. Ten juveniles were rescued from a labor trafficking network that compelled youngsters under the age of 12 to work long hours in filthy, dangerous, and unhygienic hotels for little to no pay.

Key Takeaways:

  • The five Indian-Americans charged are Amit Prahladbhai "Amit" Chaudhari, 32, Amit Babubhai "Matt" Chaudhari, 33, Maheshkumar "Mahesh" Chaudhari, 38, Rashmi Ajit "Falguni" Samani, 42, and Kentakumar "Ken" Chaudhari, 36.
  • The accused owned, ran, and oversaw several hotels in Nebraska, which produced significant illicit profits.
  • Authorities seized over $565,000 in cash that may have been used in money laundering.
  • Ten juveniles were rescued from a labor trafficking network that compelled youngsters under the age of 12 to work long hours in filthy, dangerous, and unhygienic hotels for little to no pay.
  • One of the accused allegedly abused the US U visa program by orchestrating a fictitious robbery and portraying another suspect as a victim of crime.
  • The hotels were allegedly used for narcotics trafficking, and the owners provided security to traffickers.
  • One defendant spoke about the price of transporting someone from India to the US, and a number of hotel workers had crossed the Arizona border to stay at defendant-owned hotels.

Statistics:

  • $565,000: the amount of cash seized by authorities that may have been used in money laundering.
  • $1,000: the cost of illegally obtained driver's licenses.
  • 10: the number of juveniles rescued from a labor trafficking network.
  • 5: the number of Indian-Americans charged in the case.
  • 2022: the year in which one of the accused allegedly orchestrated a fictitious robbery to obtain a U visa.

Sources:

  • US Attorney's Office, District of Nebraska
  • Department of Justice
  • Hindustan Times

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