Punjabi man who used Uber to smuggle 800 Indians into US gets 45 months in prison

Singh is an illegal immigrant, and is likely to be deported.

During the sentencing hearing at U.S. District Court in Seattle, presided over by Judge John C. Coughenour, the joint recommendation for a 45-month prison term was accepted. Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman expressed concern about the security and safety risks faced by those smuggled, emphasising that Singh’s actions jeopardised national security. Furthermore, she noted the financial burden placed on the Indian nationals, who found themselves trapped in a cycle of debt, owing as much as $70,000.

Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, overseeing operations for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in the Pacific Northwest, commended the collaborative efforts of HSI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in dismantling the smuggling operation. Hammer condemned Singh’s exploitation of vulnerable individuals, saying, “Mr. Singh spent years illegally smuggling hundreds of Indian nationals into this country; all to make a quick profit. Mr. Singh won’t need to order up any more Uber rides for the next three years.”

Court records reveal that Singh and his coconspirators utilised the popular ride-sharing app Uber to transport individuals who had unlawfully crossed the border from Canada into the Seattle area. Detailed accounts describe how trips would be split between different rides, starting near the border in the early hours of the morning. For example, one Uber trip would take individuals from the border to Sea-Tac airport, followed by another Uber trip minutes later, from an airport hotel to an address owned by Singh’s spouse in Lacey, Washington. Between mid-2018 and May 2022, Singh orchestrated over 600 trips, facilitating the transportation of Indian nationals who had been smuggled into the U.S.

After successfully smuggling non-citizens into the United States, Singh coordinated with his coconspirators, who utilised one-way vehicle rentals to transport these individuals to their final destinations outside Washington State.

Singh and his coconspirators employed sophisticated methods to launder the organisation’s illicit proceeds. In one instance, they arranged for smuggling fees to be sent from India to New York via hawala, a traditional money transfer system. Once the fees were received in cash, they were converted into a check and mailed to a coconspirator in Kentucky. From there, the funds were laundered through multiple financial accounts, a deliberate attempt to conceal the illegal origin of the money.

The smuggling operation has been active since at least 2018, though it experienced a slowdown during the pandemic when Canada restricted the admission of non-citizens. However, as pandemic restrictions were lifted, the scheme regained momentum. The investigation estimates that between July 2018 and April 2022, the 17 Uber accounts associated with this smuggling ring incurred charges exceeding $80,000.

In addition to searching Singh’s residence in Lacey, law enforcement authorities also conducted searches at two of his properties in California. During the search of Singh’s Elk Grove home, investigators discovered approximately $45,000 in cash, counterfeit identity documents, and copies of falsified documents submitted to immigration judges in Washington. These documents were presented during bond hearings for non-citizens who had been smuggled into the United States by Singh and his coconspirators but were subsequently arrested by immigration authorities for illegally crossing the border.

Singh has agreed to forfeit the seized cash and other personal property, as well as a money judgment of $500,000 representing the proceeds he obtained from his criminal scheme.

Both parties have agreed to recommend a 45-month prison sentence for Singh, who is not legally present in the United States. It is likely that he will be deported following the completion of his prison term.

The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Uber provided valuable assistance shortly before Singh’s arrest, aiding in the investigation.