Federal grand jury indicts four in Iowa-based visa fraud scheme

WATERLOO, Iowa — A federal grand jury has indicted four people in eastern Iowa, accusing them of orchestrating a long-running visa fraud and marriage fraud scheme designed to illegally bring foreign nationals into the United States, according to court records.

The indictment, unsealed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, charges Joseph Longanga Okoko, Joseph Onolenga Okamba, Medard Lotahe Elonge, and Bienvenu Saido Binyangi with conspiracy to defraud the United States, visa fraud, false statements and obstruction of justice

Prosecutors allege the defendants exploited the Diversity Visa Lottery program by arranging sham marriages, falsifying immigration documents and demanding large payments from visa applicants. The scheme allegedly operated for years in Iowa and other states, targeting immigrants from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

According to the indictment, the defendants charged visa lottery winners tens of thousands of dollars to finance travel to the U.S. and secure fraudulent marriages that would allow them to apply for permanent residency. In several cases, prosecutors say the defendants required victims to sign repayment contracts demanding a large percentage of future income

Federal prosecutors also allege the group submitted false information to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, including misrepresenting marital status, concealing existing spouses and fabricating marriage documentation. The indictment further claims the defendants attempted to obstruct the investigation after learning of the grand jury inquiry.

If convicted, the defendants face potential prison sentences, fines and immigration consequences. Court records do not yet list arraignment dates.