Georgia Charges Nine in Alleged U.S. and Canada Visa, Asylum Fraud Schemes
By Messenger Staff
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Georgia's Prosecutor's Office has arrested three people and launched criminal proceedings against six others after uncovering two alleged criminal groups involved in fraudulent U.S. asylum and visa schemes.
At a June 2 briefing, prosecutor Giorgi Mikaia said the investigation was conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy's Regional Security Office (RSO).
According to prosecutors, one group helped Georgian citizens fabricate asylum claims for the United States by creating false stories of persecution and producing forged supporting documents. Investigators identified 366 Georgian citizens who allegedly sought assistance from the group.
Authorities say the suspects charged clients thousands of dollars for preparing asylum cases, forging documents, and assisting with immigration proceedings. Two members of the group are also accused of defrauding Georgian migrants held in U.S. immigration detention.
A second group allegedly assisted Georgian citizens in obtaining U.S. visas through forged documentation. Prosecutors said the scheme involved at least 65 individuals and generated more than USD 142,000 between January 2025 and February 2026.
The investigation began after U.S. Embassy officials verified submitted documents and identified irregularities, leading to the revocation of visas issued through the scheme.
The nine suspects face charges including large-scale fraud, facilitating the submission of false information for asylum or illegal stay abroad, and producing and distributing forged official documents. If convicted, they could face up to nine years in prison.
