Makhan Singh, 53, of Monroeville, Pennsylvania, is off the hook for prison time but not the law—sentenced to three years of probation and slapped with a $5,000 fine for his role in a calculated marriage fraud scheme that stretched nearly a decade. The conviction, handed down in federal court, marks the end of a shadow operation designed to rip through U.S. immigration controls using fake vows and cold cash.
U.S. District Judge Nora Barry Fischer delivered the sentence, holding Singh accountable for conspiracy to commit marriage and visa fraud. From around 2011 to October 2018, Singh orchestrated a sham union between his brother, Rajinder Singh—a native and citizen of India—and U.S. citizen Dawn Haroulakis. The goal was clear: bypass federal immigration statutes and secure legal permanent residency for Rajinder through deception.
Court documents reveal Singh didn’t just suggest the idea—he bankrolled it. He offered Haroulakis payment to marry his brother in name only. She accepted, and Singh funneled more than $15,000 to her in exchange for the fraudulent marriage. The transaction wasn’t love—it was a business deal built on forged documents and lies, aimed squarely at gaming the system.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christy C. Wiegand and Brendan McKenna led the prosecution, painting a picture of collusion and exploitation. The case wasn’t just about one fake marriage—it exposed a network of exploitation where U.S. citizenship was treated as a commodity. Haroulakis, who cooperated with investigators, was also prosecuted in connection with the scheme, underscoring the reach of federal anti-fraud enforcement.
The investigation was driven by Homeland Security Investigations as part of the Pittsburgh Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a multi-agency unit targeting high-level immigration and document fraud. The task force includes heavyweights like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the IRS Criminal Investigations, Social Security OIG, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, all working to dismantle fraud rings operating in plain sight.
This case is a stark reminder: immigration fraud isn’t a victimless crime. It undermines national security, corrupts legal processes, and lines the pockets of those willing to sell their citizenship. Singh avoided prison, but the stigma—and the $5,000—won’t erase the truth: he played the system, and the feds are watching.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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