Eleven Indian nationals have been charged in the United States with conspiracy to commit visa fraud, accused of orchestrating fake armed robberies to fraudulently obtain immigration benefits.
According to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the defendants staged hold-ups at convenience stores, liquor shops, and fast-food restaurants across the state. The scheme was designed to allow store clerks to pose as victims of violent crime, making them eligible to apply for U non-immigrant status—a visa reserved for individuals who suffer physical or mental abuse and assist in law enforcement investigations.
The Scheme:
Court documents reveal that beginning in March 2023, the group organized at least six staged robberies. An individual identified as Rambhai allegedly acted as the “robber,” threatening clerks with what appeared to be a firearm and taking cash from registers, all while surveillance cameras rolled. The “victims” would wait several minutes after the robber fled before calling police. In exchange, participants paid Rambhai, who reportedly compensated store owners for using their premises.
The Accused:
All 11 individuals share the surname Patel. Ten of them—Jitendrakumar (39), Maheshkumar (36), Sanjaykumar (45), Rameshbhai (52), Amitabahen (43), Ronakkumar (28), Sangitaben (36), Minkesh (42), Sonal (42), and Mitul (40)—were residing unlawfully in Massachusetts. The 11th, Dipikaben (40) of Weymouth, had previously been deported to India.
Arrests and Legal Proceedings:
Six accused were arrested in Massachusetts and released after appearing in federal court in Boston. Three others were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio, and are expected to be transferred to Boston for further proceedings.
The charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge based on US sentencing guidelines.
