10 Indians arrested in US over staged robberies to obtain immigration visas

US federal authorities have charged 11 Indian nationals for allegedly staging armed robberies at convenience stores as part of a scheme to fraudulently obtain immigration benefits under the US U Visa programme. Ten of the accused have been arrested so far.

According to the Massachusetts District Attorney’s Office, the accused face one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud for allegedly organizing and participating in fake robberies designed to make store clerks appear as victims of violent crime.

Those named in the case include Jitendrakumar Patel, 39, of Marshfield, Massachusetts; Maheshkumar Patel, 36, of Randolph, Massachusetts; Sanjaykumar Patel, 45, of Quincy, Massachusetts; Dipikaben Patel, 40, formerly of Weymouth, Massachusetts, who has since been deported to India; Rameshbhai Patel, 52, of Eubank, Kentucky; Amitabahen Patel, 43, of Plainville, Massachusetts; Ronakkumar Patel, 28, of Maryland Heights, Missouri; Sangitaben Patel, 36, of Randolph, Massachusetts; Minkesh Patel, 42, of Perrysburg, Ohio; Sonal Patel, 42, also of Perrysburg, Ohio; and Mitul Patel, 40, of Worcester, Massachusetts.

Six of the accused — Jitendrakumar Patel, Maheshkumar Patel, Sanjaykumar Patel, Amitabahen Patel, Sangitaben Patel and Mitul Patel — were arrested in Massachusetts and appeared before a federal court in Boston on Friday. They were later released following their initial hearings.

The remaining four — Rameshbhai Patel, Ronakkumar Patel, Sonal Patel and Minkesh Patel — were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio respectively. Authorities said they will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

How the alleged scheme worked

Investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) allege that beginning in March 2023, Rambhai Patel and his associates organised staged robberies at several businesses, including convenience stores, liquor outlets and fast-food establishments in Massachusetts and other locations. Authorities say at least six such incidents were carried out as part of the operation.

The staged robberies were allegedly designed to help store clerks falsely claim they were victims of violent crimes when applying for U non-immigrant status, commonly known as the U Visa.

The U Visa is intended for victims of certain crimes who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse and who assist law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting criminal activity.

Prosecutors say the robberies were carefully choreographed. During the incidents, a person posing as a robber allegedly threatened employees with what appeared to be a firearm, took cash from the register and fled. The encounters were recorded on store surveillance cameras.

Authorities allege that clerks or store owners involved in the scheme waited several minutes after the robber left before contacting police to report the crime.

Investigators further claim that the alleged “victims” paid Patel to organize the staged incidents, while Patel is accused of compensating store owners for allowing their premises to be used.

The individual accused of acting as the robber, along with the alleged organizer and the getaway driver, had previously been charged and convicted in connection with the scheme.

Prosecutors said the 11 individuals charged this week are accused either of coordinating the robberies with the organizer or paying to have themselves or their family members presented as victims.

If convicted, 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 up to $250,000.

US Attorney Leah B Foley and Ted E Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division, announced the charges. Authorities said the investigation involved several federal agencies and law enforcement bodies across multiple states, including the FBI, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and local police departments.

Prosecutors noted that the allegations outlined in the charge sheet have not yet been proven in court and that the accused are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.