Authorities in the United States have charged 11 Indian nationals in connection with an alleged visa fraud conspiracy that involved staging armed robberies at retail stores so individuals could falsely claim to be victims of violent crime in immigration applications.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the scheme was designed to help participants obtain U non-immigrant status, commonly known as a U Visa, which is intended for victims of certain crimes who have suffered physical or mental abuse and have cooperated with law enforcement in investigating criminal activity.
Alleged Staged Robberies
Prosecutors said the scheme involved organizing fake robberies at multiple businesses, including convenience stores, liquor shops, and fast-food restaurants in the US state of Massachusetts and other locations.
Court documents allege that in March 2023, an organizer identified as Jitendrakumar Patel and his associates arranged staged armed robberies at at least six establishments. During these incidents, an individual posing as the “robber” would threaten store clerks or owners with what appeared to be a firearm, take cash from the register, and flee the scene.
The events were captured on store surveillance cameras to make the incidents appear genuine. According to prosecutors, the clerks or store owners involved in the scheme would then wait several minutes after the “robber” left before calling police to report the crime.
Payments to Participate in the Scheme
Investigators allege that individuals posing as victims paid the organizer to participate in the operation. In turn, the organizer allegedly paid some store owners to allow their premises to be used for the staged robberies.
Authorities noted that the individual who acted as the “robber,” along with a getaway driver and the organizer, had already been charged and convicted in earlier proceedings related to the case.
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Defendants and Legal Proceedings
The 11 individuals charged in the latest case are accused of either arranging the staged robberies with the organizer or paying for themselves or relatives to participate as supposed victims.
Those charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud 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
- Mitul Patel, 40
Several defendants were arrested in Massachusetts and later released following initial court appearances in Boston, while others were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio and are expected to appear in federal court at a later date.
Possible Penalties
The charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The announcement was made by Leah B Foley, United States Attorney for Massachusetts, and Ted E Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division.
Officials emphasized that the charges outlined in the court documents are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
