Neeraj Sharma case: How fake job offers triggered major H-1B visa fraud probe in the US
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) took legal action, accusing individuals of obtaining citizenship through fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts during the naturalization process. One of the key defendants named in the case is Indian-born CEO Neeraj Sharma, who is set to lose his US citizenship due to H1-B visa fraud.
ALSO READ: Who is Indian American CEO Neeraj Sharma, who is set to lose his US citizenship due to H-1B visa scam for jobs that never existed?
US Launches Massive Denaturalization Campaign
On June 8, the Justice Department announced a coordinated legal effort against the 17 individuals, calling it one of the most significant denaturalization efforts in recent years. Authorities allege that the group includes people accused or convicted of serious crimes such as:
immigration fraud
electronic fraud
drug trafficking
Sexual crimes related to children
The government alleges that U.S. citizenship was obtained through misrepresentation or forged documents during immigration procedures.ALSO READ: Meet Zach Yadegari: Young US founder sold gaming app for $100k, then built $40k Cal AI and now prefers ‘Stream’
Who is Neeraj Sharma?
Among those named is Neeraj Sharma, a 50-year-old businessman of Indian origin who previously served as CEO of Magnavision LLC, a New Jersey-based staffing firm. Sharma became a US citizen in December 2017 after his application was approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
According to US officials, Sharma is accused of submitting 11 fraudulent H-1B visa applications. These applications claimed that foreign workers would be placed in a large global financial institution.
Investigators say the applications contained forged manager signatures and fabricated supporting documents, creating the appearance of legitimate job placements that did not exist.
Allegations Behind the Fraud Case
The Department of Justice alleges that Neeraj Sharma misrepresented material facts during the citizenship process. Authorities claim he denied:
Any crime for which he was not arrested
Providing false information to immigration authorities
Using deception to gain immigration benefits
However, authorities later linked him to visa fraud activities he allegedly carried out between 2015 and 2017. He was later convicted in a related visa fraud case, triggering renewed legal action to revoke his citizenship.
Fake Job Offers at the Center of H-1B Fraud
At the heart of the case is a familiar theme in immigration fraud investigations: fake job offers used to support H-1B visa applications.
In this case, authorities allege that fictitious employment placements were created on paper to make visa applications appear legitimate. These fake roles were reportedly tied to a major global financial institution that was never actually involved.
Such setups were used to process multiple visa applications under false pretenses, raising concerns about systematic abuse of the H-1B program, according to investigators.
Wider Pressure on Naturalized Citizens
The Sharma case is part of a broader U.S. government effort to target naturalized citizens accused of serious abuse or immigration fraud. The Department of Justice stated that the 17 cases under review include the following cases:
violent crimes
financial fraud
Immigration violations
Crimes involving minors
Authorities described the action as part of one of the largest denaturalization drives in recent U.S. history, signaling tougher enforcement against false citizenship claims. The investigation highlights long-standing concerns about abuse in visa sponsorship systems, particularly where fake job offers are allegedly used to secure immigration benefits.
(With TOI entries)
