Highlights:
- Eleven Indian nationals were charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud in the United States.
- Authorities say fake robberies were staged at stores to help clerks apply for a U Visa.
- The suspects were living unlawfully in several US states, including Massachusetts, Kentucky, and Ohio.
- Participants allegedly paid an organizer to stage the robberies.
- The charge could lead to up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
US federal prosecutors have charged 11 Indian nationals in connection with a visa fraud scheme involving staged armed robberies at convenience stores and restaurants. According to authorities, the suspects organized fake robberies so that store clerks could claim they were victims of violent crime while applying for special immigration benefits.
The individuals charged include Jitendrakumar Patel, 39; Maheshkumar Patel, 36; Sanjaykumar Patel, 45; Dipikaben Patel, 40; Rameshbhai Patel, 52; Amitabahen Patel, 43; Ronakkumar Patel, 28; Sangitaben Patel, 36; Minkesh Patel, 42; Sonal Patel, 42; and Mitul Patel, 40.
Prosecutors said all of them were living unlawfully in different parts of the United States, including Massachusetts, Kentucky, and Ohio.
According to the US Department of Justice, the suspects have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. Authorities said the group allegedly arranged fake robberies to create evidence that would support applications for a U non-immigrant visa, commonly known as a U Visa.
The U Visa is designed for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and who cooperate with law enforcement during investigations or prosecutions. It allows recipients to obtain work authorization in the United States and can lead to a Green Card within five to ten years.
Investigators said the fraud scheme began around March 2023. The organizer, identified in court documents as Rambhai, and his associates allegedly planned and carried out staged robberies at least six times. These incidents took place at convenience stores, liquor stores, and fast-food restaurants in Massachusetts and other locations.
During the staged robberies, a person acting as the 'robber' would enter a store and threaten the clerk or owner with what appeared to be a firearm. The robber would take cash from the register and quickly leave the scene.
Authorities said the incidents were intentionally recorded on store surveillance cameras to make them appear real. After the robber escaped, the clerks or store owners reportedly waited several minutes before contacting police to report the crime.
Prosecutors believe the staged robberies were carefully planned so the participants could later claim they were victims of violent crime when applying for a U Visa.
Authorities also said the clerks who wanted to participate allegedly paid Rambhai to organize the fake robberies. In return, Rambhai reportedly paid store owners to allow their businesses to be used as locations for the staged incidents.
The alleged organizer, the person who acted as the robber, and a getaway driver were previously charged and convicted in connection with the scheme.
The 11 defendants charged in the latest case are accused of either arranging the robberies with the organizer or paying for themselves or family members to take part as supposed victims.
Several of the suspects were arrested in Massachusetts and appeared in federal court in Boston on Friday (13) before being released. Others were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
One of the accused, Dipikaben Patel, has already been deported to India after living unlawfully in Weymouth, Massachusetts.
If convicted, the charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
