Federal prosecutors have charged 11 Indian nationals with conspiracy to commit visa fraud in an alleged scheme that staged armed robberies so participants could falsely claim U visas as crime victims. The alleged plot began in March 2023 and involved at least six businesses in Massachusetts, with related incidents elsewhere. Six were arrested in Massachusetts while others were detained in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio; one defendant had already been deported. The charge carries up to five years in prison, supervised release and fines.
FBI Charges 11 Indian Nationals in Alleged 'Staged' Robbery Scheme to Obtain U Visas
FBI busts convenience store clerks for 'staged armed robberies' to apply for immigration benefits
Federal prosecutors in Massachusetts have charged 11 Indian nationals with conspiracy to commit visa fraud after an alleged scheme in which staged armed robberies were used to help participants claim U visas as crime victims.
According to charging documents, the plot began in March 2023 and involved at least six convenience stores, liquor stores and fast-food restaurants in Massachusetts, with additional incidents reported in other states. Prosecutors say the scheme was organized to create the appearance of legitimate crimes on surveillance video so participants could seek immigration benefits reserved for victims who assist law enforcement.
How Authorities Say the Scheme Worked
Prosecutors allege the staged robberies were carefully scripted. A purported robber would enter a business, threaten the clerk or owner with what appeared to be a firearm, take cash from the register, and flee. The encounters were captured on store surveillance cameras.
Authorities say the individuals portraying victims then waited several minutes before calling police—giving the supposed robber time to escape and increasing the incidents' appearance of authenticity. Prosecutors further allege participants paid an organizer to set up the staged robberies, and that the organizer paid some store owners to use their premises as locations.
Arrests, Convictions and Charges
Six defendants were arrested in Massachusetts and released following initial appearances in federal court in Boston. Additional arrests were made in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio; those defendants are expected to appear in Boston at a later date. Federal officials also said one defendant had previously been deported to India. The alleged organizer, along with a purported robber and a getaway driver, had already been charged and convicted in connection with the investigation.
The 11 individuals charged this week face a single count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. That charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and fines of up to $250,000. Any sentence would be determined by a federal judge.
Named Defendants
- Jitendrakumar Patel, 39 — unlawfully residing in Marshfield, Massachusetts
- Maheshkumar Patel, 36 — unlawfully residing in Randolph, Massachusetts
- Sanjaykumar Patel, 45 — unlawfully residing in Quincy, Massachusetts
- Dipikaben Patel, 40 — deported to India after unlawfully residing in Weymouth, Massachusetts
- Rameshbhai Patel, 52 — unlawfully residing in Eubank, Kentucky
- Amitabahen Patel, 43 — unlawfully residing in Plainville, Massachusetts
- Ronakkumar Patel, 28 — unlawfully residing in Maryland Heights, Missouri
- Sangitaben Patel, 36 — unlawfully residing in Randolph, Massachusetts
- Minkesh Patel, 42 — unlawfully residing in Perrysburg, Ohio
- Sonal Patel, 42 — unlawfully residing in Perrysburg, Ohio
- Mitul Patel, 40 — unlawfully residing in Worcester, Massachusetts
Note: All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts is handling the prosecution.
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