Estonian Man Convicted in Visa Fraud and Sexual Trafficking Scheme

The subject of a Bureau of Diplomatic Security visa fraud and human sexual trafficking investigation pleaded guilty on August 3 to illegally facilitating fraudulent U.S. visa applications for Estonian women to travel to the United States and work in erotic massage parlors.

Roman Valdma, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Estonia, pleaded guilty in Federal court in Boston to charges of Visa Fraud, Importation of Aliens for Immoral Purpose, Transportation for Illegal Sexual Activity, Persuading and Enticing Illegal Sexual Activity, Encouraging and Inducing Aliens to Come to the United States in Violation of Law, and Bringing an Alien to the United States Without Official Authorization for Commercial Advantage. Sentencing is scheduled for September 14, 2004.

From 1999 to 2003, Valdma recruited young Estonian women and exploited the visa issuance process in order to facilitate their travel to the United States. However, unbeknownst to most of these young women, Valdma required them to work in his erotic massage parlors once they arrived in the United States.

In May 2003, special agents from the Bureau of Diplomatic Security conducted an undercover operation in which Valdma unknowingly assisted an Estonian informant in obtaining fraudulent documents and entering the United States illegally. Once in the U.S., the informant provided Diplomatic Security agents with detailed information on the visa fraud scheme.

Diplomatic Security agents, with support from the Boston Police Department, arrested Valdma on August 5, 2003. Diplomatic Security also received invaluable assistance from the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston, the Department of Justice’s Domestic Security Section, and the Government of Estonia.

In addition to Valdma’s expected prison term of 36 to 41 months, prosecutors are also seeking the forfeiture of $80,000 in cash, a 2003 Acura sport utility vehicle, and one of Valdma’s residences.

Visa fraud is a serious crime. The Bureaus of Diplomatic Security and Consular Affairs work together to detect, combat and prevent visa fraud or other criminal activities that threaten the integrity of U.S. visas and passports.

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