NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Boston, MA, March 14, 2025: Eleven Indian nationals have been charged in the United States for allegedly staging fake armed robberies at convenience stores in an elaborate scheme designed to obtain U Visas fraudulently, a special immigration status available to victims of certain crimes.
Federal prosecutors say the conspiracy, which dates back to at least March 2023, involved coordinated incidents at convenience stores and other small businesses where participants pretended to be victims of violent robberies. Authorities allege the staged crimes were intended to generate police reports that could later be used to support immigration applications.
According to court documents filed in federal court in Boston, the scheme typically involved one participant posing as an armed robber who would enter a store and threaten a clerk while taking cash from the register. The incidents were often captured on store surveillance cameras to make them appear authentic. Investigators say the clerk—who was allegedly part of the scheme—would delay calling police for several minutes, allowing the “robber” to escape before reporting the crime.
Prosecutors allege that individuals seeking immigration benefits paid money to participate in the staged robberies, while store owners were allegedly compensated for allowing their businesses to be used as the setting for the fake crimes.
The alleged robberies occurred at multiple convenience stores across Massachusetts, including locations in Hingham, Randolph, Weymouth, Marshfield, and Worcester, according to federal authorities. The broader investigation involved law enforcement agencies in several states, including Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee, indicating the scheme may have had a wider reach.
Several of the accused have already appeared in federal court in Boston, while others made initial appearances in federal courts in other states.
Those charged include Jitendrakumar Patel, Maheshkumar Patel, Sanjaykumar Patel, Dipikaben Patel, Rameshbhai Patel, Amitabahen Patel, Ronakkumar Patel, Sangitaben Patel, and Minkesh Patel, among others identified in court filings.
Federal prosecutors said the individuals charged this week either helped organize the staged robberies or allegedly paid to be listed as victims of violent crimes so they could apply for immigration relief.
The case builds on earlier prosecutions linked to the scheme. Authorities previously charged and secured convictions against Rambhai Patel, identified as an organizer, along with individuals who allegedly carried out the staged robberies and served as getaway drivers.
The defendants now face charges of conspiracy to commit visa fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison, along with potential fines and supervised release if convicted.
A U Visa is a special immigration classification created by Congress to protect immigrants who are victims of certain serious crimes, including robbery and assault. The program allows victims who cooperate with law enforcement to apply for legal status in the United States.
Federal officials say the alleged scheme exploited a program intended to help genuine victims of crime.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Cover photo credit: FBI Boston/X.
