3 Indicted For Alleged Sham Marriage Scheme

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Three Northern California residents have been accused of orchestrating fake marriages between U.S. citizens and foreign nationals from India for immigration purposes, according to authorities.

U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner said three people -- identified as 58-year-old Sippy Lal, 34-yearold Mamta Sharma, and 27-year-old Rani Rachana Singh-Lal -- were indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday on charges of conspiring to induce aliens to enter and reside in the United States.

The three suspects constructed an "elaborate immigration fraud scheme" that recruited sham spouses to fly to India, establish fake marriages with Indian citizens and return to the U.S. with fraudulent "fiancé visas."

"They would generally approach women who were United States citizens [and] offer to pay them anywhere ranging from five thousand up to, in one instance, fifteen thousand dollars," Wagner said.

Lal's home was raided by federal agents on January 10 in connection with the investigation, leading to the arrest of Lal and Sharma. Authorities are still seeking an arrest warrant for Singh-Lal.

Lal and Singh-Lal could face 10 years in prison if convicted of the charges. Sharma, who isn't a U.S. citizen, could also face deportation.