Texas Journalist Sara Gonzales Uncovers Elaborate US-India OPT Visa Scam
Texas-based journalist and whistleblower Sara Gonzales has unveiled another significant exposé, this time focusing on how alleged scam artists recruit individuals in the United States while illegally siphoning portions of their salaries from India. In her latest investigative YouTube video, Gonzales detailed the sophisticated operation that preys on vulnerable international students.
Social Media Recruitment Tactics Targeting F-1 Students
Gonzales explained that she discovered numerous so-called recruiters who strategically drop their contact information across various social media platforms. These individuals specifically target F-1 visa students, urging them to call for assistance with their OPT (Optional Practical Training) extensions. Most of these phone numbers feature India country codes, indicating the international nature of the operation.
To investigate further, Gonzales' video producer went undercover, contacting one such number to understand the recruitment process firsthand. The STEM OPT extension program allows certain international students who have completed degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics fields to work in the United States for an extended period after graduation.
The Undercover Investigation Reveals Shocking Details
Using a burner phone, the undercover investigator pretended to be an Indian student seeking OPT extension assistance. The contact led them to Rakesh Jonnalagadda, who works for Exito Tech INC, an e-verified company based in Michigan. Jonnalagadda claimed his company could provide job opportunities to Indian students and even promised assistance with obtaining H-1B visas.
The parent company was identified as Loggin In Tech Inc. During the conversation, Jonnalagadda outlined the financial arrangement: $1,000 would be required upfront for an offer letter, followed by a 70-30 split of the monthly salary. According to this arrangement, 70% would go to the employee while 30% would be directed to Jonnalagadda's company.
Questionable Financial Arrangements and Lack of Verification
The undercover caller was informed they would receive a $2,100 monthly salary, delivered through two checks of $900 each, with the remaining $300 allegedly going to the IRS. Most alarmingly, the recruiters never requested the applicant's experience or curriculum vitae, immediately offering employment letters without any verification of qualifications or background.
This investigation highlights significant vulnerabilities in the OPT extension system and raises serious questions about oversight of companies that facilitate such arrangements. The scam appears to systematically exploit international students' desire to remain and work in the United States legally after completing their education.
