Eleven Indians Charged In Visa Fraud Scheme Using Fake Robberies

India-West News Desk

BOSTON, MA –Eleven Indian nationals have been charged in a U.S. federal case alleging staged robberies were used to falsely claim victim status in applications for immigration benefits, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Federal prosecutors say the alleged scheme was designed to support applications for U non-immigrant visas, a category available to certain victims of crimes who assist law enforcement authorities during investigations.

Those charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud include Jitendrakumar Patel, 39, Marshfield, Massachusetts; Maheshkumar Patel, 36, Randolph, Massachusetts; Sanjaykumar Patel, 45, Quincy, Massachusetts; Dipikaben Patel, 40, who previously lived in Weymouth, Massachusetts and has since been deported to India; Rameshbhai Patel, 52, Eubank, Kentucky; Amitabahen Patel, 43, Plainville, Massachusetts; Ronakkumar Patel, 28, Maryland Heights, Missouri; Sangitaben Patel, 36, Randolph, Massachusetts; Minkesh Patel, 42, Perrysburg, Ohio; Sonal Patel, 42, Perrysburg, Ohio; and Mitul Patel, 40, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Authorities said six of the defendants were arrested in Massachusetts and appeared in federal court in Boston, where they were released following initial proceedings. Others were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio and are expected to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to charging documents cited by prosecutors, the alleged scheme began around March 2023 and involved staged robberies at convenience stores, liquor stores and fast-food restaurants in Massachusetts, with additional incidents reported elsewhere.

Investigators allege the incidents were arranged so store clerks or owners could claim victim status in immigration applications. In the events described by prosecutors, a person posing as a robber allegedly entered the businesses, threatened employees with what appeared to be a firearm, took cash from the register and left while surveillance cameras recorded the encounter.

Authorities said those involved allegedly waited several minutes before contacting police.

Federal prosecutors allege that people seeking immigration benefits paid an organizer to arrange the staged crimes so they could use the incidents in visa applications. The organizer, investigators say, allegedly compensated store owners in return for allowing their businesses to be used.

Officials said the alleged organizer of the scheme, along with the person who carried out the robberies and a getaway driver, had previously been charged and convicted. The eleven defendants named in the latest case are accused of helping arrange the incidents or paying to participate as victims for themselves or relatives.

If convicted, the charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, according to federal authorities.