A Telugu-origin tech businessman sentenced to 14 months in federal prison has become the central figure in a far-reaching H-1B visa fraud case that has sent shockwaves through the U.S. tech staffing industry. Kishore Dattapuram, 55, of Santa Clara, California, was handed his sentence by U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila following a guilty plea on one count of conspiracy and ten counts of visa fraud in November 2024.
Dattapuram, co-founder of Nanosemantics, Inc., a staffing agency based in San Jose, masterminded a deceptive scheme that exploited the U.S. H-1B visa system. The company specialized in placing skilled foreign professionals, primarily in the booming tech sector. However, what lay beneath the surface was a calculated manipulation of federal immigration protocols.
H-1B Visa: A Web of Deception Behind the American Dream
Prosecutors revealed that Dattapuram and his co-defendants submitted numerous H-1B visa petitions to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) claiming workers had real job offers in the U.S. In truth, these jobs didn’t exist. Instead, Dattapuram paid various companies to act as fake employers, creating a façade of legitimacy.
These fictitious job roles enabled Nanosemantics to secure visas even before real employment opportunities arose. By circumventing standard waiting periods, Dattapuram ensured that his staffing firm could outpace competitors by having ready-to-deploy workers in place—an unfair advantage rooted in deceit.
A Scheme Engineered for Profit and Power
According to court documents, the strategy was more than just opportunistic; it was methodically designed to manipulate the H-1B process, meant to attract foreign talent for real positions that require specialized knowledge. Instead, Dattapuram’s approach hollowed out the intent of the visa system, turning it into a tool for aggressive market positioning.
Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Robbins commented, “This case is a stark reminder that exploiting our immigration system for financial gain will not go unchecked. Justice was served today.”
Financial Penalties and Long-Term Supervision
In addition to his 14-month sentence, the Telugu-origin tech businessman sentenced this week will serve three years of supervised release. Judge Davila also ordered him to forfeit $125,456.48—representing proceeds from the fraud—pay a fine of $7,500, and a $1,100 special assessment fee.
The case was brought to light through the collaborative efforts of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and USCIS, with prosecutorial leadership from Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Griswold and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Johnny James.
A Message of Accountability to the Tech World
HSI Special Agent in Charge Tatum King emphasized that the sentencing should serve as a cautionary tale: “The message is clear—manipulating the U.S. visa system for personal or corporate gain will lead to criminal prosecution.”
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