H-1B Scam Exposed: Telugu Duo Caught in Fake Job Racket

The US authorities have adopted a zero tolerance policy towards H-1B Visa processing system to deny entry to fake applicants. Ever since Donald Trump returned to power last year, the immigration policy has been revamped and stringent measures are being taken to keep H-1B frauds at bay. 

Despite high-level of scrutiny by immigration authorities, consultancies run by Indian nationals continue to indulge in H-1B frauds. In another similar case, two NRIs of Indian origin hailing from Telugu states have now been accused of orchestrating a series of H-1B Visa frauds between 2020 and 2023 by processing fake applications. 

The Telugu duo identified as Sampath Rajidi, and Sreedhar Mada submitted H-1B visa petitions for many beneficiaries between the said period for non existent roles at the University of California. Both are 51-year-old residents of Dublin, East Bay, in the United States. 

Sampath operated two visa servicing companies named S-Team Software Inc and Uptrend Technologies LLC. Their business models were focused on obtaining foreign workers for temporary placement with various companies. The same would be achieved by petitioning for H-1B Specialty Occupation worker visas

Mada’s position as the Chief Information Officer of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources was falsely used to make USCIS believe that they were hiring for the University roles. But, it is alleged that they were applying for positions which were not at all listed for any recruitment through H-1B by supplying fake information. 

After securing H-1B worker visa approvals, they would later place workers with private clients, according to US federal prosecutors. Both these Telugu folks are now facing trail and pleaded guilty as they face a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $ 250,000. 

Sampath Rajidi and Sreedhar Mada are scheduled to be sentenced by US District Judge Troy L Nunley on July 30, 2026.