Facts

The federal government brought a civil in rem forfeiture action pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 981(a)(1)(C).

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
The government contended that Hee Sun Shim and others engaged in a fraudulent immigration scheme in which they operated businesses that claimed to be accredited education institutions in which foreign students paid them to receive student visas event though the students never actually attended courses. This evidence supported forfeiture of $383,365.70 in bank funds and $34,860.00 in U.S. currency seized from the schools.

CLAIMANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Hee Sun Shim and Il Soon Lee contended that they had an interest in the funds.

Result

The court found that there was reasonable cause for the seizure entitling it to a judgment as to $383,365.70 in bank funds and $34,860.00 in U.S. currency, plus interest.