Stella Boyadjian, Hrachya Atoyan, and Diana Grigoryan, also known as ‘Dina Akopovna,’ are facing a 15-count federal indictment over a years-long visa fraud scheme that exploited U.S. immigration policy to profit from smuggling Armenian nationals into the country. The charges, unsealed in Brooklyn federal court, include multiple counts of visa fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and illegally bringing aliens into the U.S. for financial gain.
Boyadjian, who ran the Big Apple Music Awards Foundation Inc. (BAMA) in Rego Park, New York, allegedly used the nonprofit as a front to file fraudulent P-3 visa applications. The P-3 visa category is reserved for foreign artists performing in ‘culturally unique’ programs. Instead of legitimate cultural performances, the defendants dressed applicants in traditional dance costumes and created fake concert flyers to fabricate evidence of artistic tours that never happened.
U.S. Attorney Richard P. Donoghue accused the trio of orchestrating a calculated deception. ‘The defendants choreographed their fraud scheme by dressing visa applicants in traditional dance costumes and creating fake concert flyers,’ Donoghue stated. ‘They exploited a program meant to enrich American culture to instead enrich themselves.’ The scheme allowed dozens of foreign nationals to enter the U.S. under false pretenses, bypassing standard immigration vetting.
Boyadjian and Grigoryan are also charged with money laundering, and Boyadjian faces an additional count of aggravated identity theft. She was arraigned yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge James Orenstein. Atoyan is scheduled for an initial appearance later today in the Central District of California, ahead of removal proceedings to the Eastern District of New York. Grigoryan remains at large pending arrest.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan emphasized the national security stakes. ‘Fraudsters who undermine our immigration system threaten our public safety and our national security,’ he said. ‘The Justice Department will not tolerate abuses of our nation’s immigration laws.’ Authorities estimate the scheme generated over $500,000 in illicit fees paid by desperate applicants seeking U.S. entry.
Christian J. Schurman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security, praised the interagency crackdown. ‘This case is the result of a strong partnership among federal law enforcement agencies and DSS’ global network of special agents,’ he said. The Diplomatic Security Service led the investigation into the fraudulent use of P-3 visas, which are intended to promote cultural exchange—not serve as backdoors for illegal immigration and profit.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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