SAN DIEGO – Three men are facing federal charges after allegedly running a sophisticated scheme to prey on vulnerable immigrants, bilking them out of a staggering $6 million. Hardev Panesar, Rafael Hastie, and Gurdev Singh are accused of posing as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials and promising lawful immigration status for exorbitant fees – promises they never intended to keep.
According to a federal grand jury indictment unsealed today, Panesar, 69, of El Cajon, California, and Hastie, 47, of Tijuana, Mexico, allegedly falsely claimed to be DHS agents as far back as 2014. They peddled false hope to individuals desperate for legal status in the United States, falsely stating they could obtain documents and halt deportation proceedings. Gurdev Singh, 56, of Bakersfield, California, is charged with aiding and abetting the scheme.
The indictment details how the trio systematically defrauded over 150 victims, collecting fees under the pretense of providing legitimate immigration services. Instead of delivering on their promises, they pocketed the money for personal use. The operation spanned across California, Indiana, and Mexico, with the defendants actively soliciting and recruiting victims. They didn’t just take money; they exploited the dreams and desperation of people seeking a better life.
The con was bolstered by carefully constructed deception. Panesar and Hastie allegedly flashed fake DHS credentials during meetings with victims, and even collected fingerprints under the guise of processing immigration forms. They routinely demanded additional funds, claiming it was necessary to “expedite” the process or “guarantee” approval. Of course, no documents ever materialized. The FBI is now seeking potential victims from as far back as 2000 through 2017.
The defendants face serious federal charges. All three are charged with Count 1: 18 U.S.C. § 1349, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (Maximum Penalty: 20 years in prison, $250,000 fine, forfeiture and restitution); Counts 2-4: 18 U.S.C. § 1343, Wire Fraud (Maximum Penalty: 20 years in prison, $250,000 fine, forfeiture and restitution). Panesar and Hastie also face Counts 5-10: 18 U.S.C. § 912, False Personation of an Officer or Employee of the United States (Maximum Penalty: 3 years in prison, $250,000 fine), and Panesar is additionally charged with Count 11: 31 U.S.C. § 5324(a)(3), Structuring Domestic Financial Institutions (Maximum Penalty: 10 years in prison, $250,000 fine, forfeiture).
The investigation is ongoing, led by the San Diego Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). If you believe you may have been a victim of this predatory scheme, authorities urge you to come forward. You can fill out a questionnaire at https://forms.fbi.gov/SDImmigrationFraud or email the FBI at SDImmigrationFraud@ic.fbi.gov. Remember, these are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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