LOS ANGELES (AP) – The second of the 2 accused of utilizing false transcripts and ghostwritten essays to assist foreigners get into American universities, permitting candidates to acquire scholar visas fraudulently, surrendered to federal authorities, prosecutors stated.
Yi Chen, 33, pleaded not responsible Monday to the fees in a 21-count grand jury indictment alleging conspiracy, visa fraud and aggravated id theft, the USA Legal professional’s Workplace stated in a press release.
His co-defendant, Yixin Li, 28, surrendered on March 2 and likewise pleaded not responsible.
The 2 Southern California males are charged with a scheme to get foreigners into school, which allowed them to fraudulently get hold of visas to enter or keep in the USA, prosecutors stated.
The indictment alleges that Chen and Li owned so-called academic consulting companies within the southern California cities of Alhambra and Arcadia, which charged overseas college students 1000’s of for “assured” admission to a college. That might outcome within the issuance of a scholar F-1 visa.
The couple ready software packets utilizing faux transcripts and employed individuals to pose as the potential scholar to take standardized exams, in response to courtroom paperwork.
The indictment lists a variety of overseas nationals for whom Chen and Li allegedly obtained transcripts, which helped college students get into colleges equivalent to New York College, Columbia College, Boston School, and varied College of California campuses.
Chen’s arrest was ordered pending trial, which was scheduled for Could four. Li stays in custody and his trial is scheduled for April 27.
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