Chinese man arrested in Honolulu charged with visa fraud

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A man from China is facing criminal charges in Honolulu after federal prosecutors say he covered up his background on his visa application.

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Fanlin Lin, 51, served in the People’s Liberation Army from 1994 to 2011 and admitted to being a current member of the Chinese Communist Party, according to court documents.

Lin was arrested at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on July 1st after attempting to enter the country.

According to a criminal complaint filed Thursday, Lin answered “no” to several questions on a 2017 visa application including one asking whether he had ever served in the military.

He was issued a 10-year visa that was set to expire in June, 2027 as a result of the application.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Honolulu questioned him upon his arrival in Honolulu on July 1 after discovering an exact match in a screening database.

Lin is charged with one count of fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents. He made his initial court appearance Tuesday.

A detention hearing is set for Friday, when the judge is expected to hear a motion to have him held without bail.

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