Federal prosecutors in the United States have charged 11 Indian nationals with conspiracy to commit visa fraud after allegedly organising staged armed robberies in an attempt to obtain immigration benefits. Authorities say the scheme was designed to exploit the U visa programme, which provides protection and potential permanent residency for victims of certain crimes who assist law enforcement.
According to the US Department of Justice, the accused individuals allegedly arranged fake robberies at convenience stores and other businesses so that store clerks could falsely claim they had been victims of violent crimes. Such claims could then be used as supporting evidence when applying for a U visa, a special immigration status granted to victims of qualifying crimes.
The individuals charged in the case 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 at the time of the alleged scheme, including states such as Massachusetts, Kentucky and Ohio.
Law enforcement agencies conducted arrests in several states as part of the investigation. Six of the accused — Jitendrakumar, Maheshkumar, Sanjaykumar, Amitabahen, Sangitaben and Mitul — were taken into custody in Massachusetts. They appeared before a federal court in Boston on Friday and were later released pending further legal proceedings.
Four other suspects — Rameshbhai, Ronakkumar, Sonal and Minkesh — were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio. Authorities said they are expected to appear before a federal court in Boston at a later stage as the case progresses.
Another individual named in the case, Dipikaben Patel, had previously been deported to India after authorities determined she had been living unlawfully in Weymouth, Massachusetts.
Prosecutors said the alleged fraudulent scheme began around March 2023 and involved staging robberies at a number of locations, including convenience stores, liquor shops and fast-food outlets across Massachusetts and other areas. According to investigators, participants would arrange for an individual to pose as an armed robber during the incidents.
During these staged events, the person acting as the robber would enter the store, threaten the clerk with what appeared to be a firearm, take cash from the register and leave the premises. The entire episode would often be captured by the store’s surveillance cameras, giving the appearance of a genuine crime.
Authorities said that after the staged robbery took place, the store employees or owners would wait several minutes before contacting the police to report the incident. The delay, investigators allege, was part of the plan to make the events appear legitimate.
The central objective of the scheme, according to prosecutors, was to allow individuals involved to claim that they had been victims of violent crime. These claims could then be used to support applications for U visas.
The U visa programme was created to provide temporary legal status and work authorisation to victims of certain crimes who have suffered physical or psychological harm and who assist law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting criminal activity. In addition to allowing recipients to live and work legally in the United States, the programme also provides a pathway to permanent residency.
Individuals who receive U visas may eventually apply for a Green Card after maintaining the status for a certain number of years, typically between five and ten, depending on eligibility and other legal conditions.
Investigators allege that participants in the scheme paid money to an organiser who arranged the fake robberies. Store owners who allowed their businesses to be used for the staged incidents were also reportedly compensated as part of the arrangement.
Authorities said that the alleged organiser of the scheme, along with the individual who acted as the robber and the person who served as the getaway driver, had already been charged and convicted earlier in connection with the same operation.
If the defendants are ultimately convicted of the charges, they could face significant penalties under US law. Prosecutors said the maximum punishment for conspiracy to commit visa fraud includes up to five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In addition, the defendants could face fines of up to 250,000 US dollars.
