Dublin, California – An elaborate H-1B visa fraud scheme spanning over two and a half years has concluded with two Indian-origin men pleading guilty to federal charges. Sampath Rajidi and Sreedhar Mada, both 51 and residents of Dublin, California's East Bay, admitted this week to conspiracy to commit H-1B visa fraud.
The Mechanics of the Fraudulent Scheme
The operation, which ran from June 2020 through January 2023, involved creating fictitious job opportunities within the prestigious University of California system. Rajidi, who operated two companies, S-Team Software Inc and Uptrend Technologies LLC, focused on sourcing foreign workers. His partner, Mada, held a critical position as Chief Information Officer at UC Agriculture and Natural Resources in Davis, lending institutional credibility to the fraudulent visa petitions.
According to the US Justice Department, Rajidi and Mada filed numerous visa applications claiming that candidates would be employed in roles at the University of California. These positions, however, did not exist. Once the H-1B visas were approved, the workers were then marketed and placed with entirely different private employers, who had no connection to the university named in the original petitions.
Exploiting the H-1B System
Federal prosecutors highlighted that the defendants were fully aware their false claims were material to the immigration authorities' evaluation process. By fabricating institutional backing, Rajidi and Mada secured visa approvals that their candidates would not have otherwise obtained through the highly competitive H-1B lottery system. This illicit activity effectively took away limited visa slots from legitimate applicants and businesses adhering to the rules.
Legal Ramifications and Sentencing
Both men are scheduled to appear before US District Judge Troy L. Nunley for sentencing on July 30, 2026. Each faces severe penalties, including a potential sentence of up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The investigation involved multiple federal agencies, including the US Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate. Assistant US Attorney Douglas Harman is prosecuting the case.