Federal prosecutors said 11 Indians living illegally in the U.S. were indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit visa fraud after carrying out an armed robbery at a convenience store to secure immigration benefits.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the defendants allegedly organized a fake robbery so that store clerks could falsely claim they were victims of violent crimes while applying for immigration relief.
The accused 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).
Authorities said all of them were living illegally in several states, including Massachusetts, Kentucky and Ohio.
Arrests in Multiple States
Six of the defendants – Jitendrakumar, Maheshkumar, Sanjaykumar, Amitabahen, Sangitaben and Mitul – were arrested in Massachusetts and released after appearing in federal court in Boston on Friday.
Rameshbhai, Ronakkumar, Sonal and Minkesh were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio and are expected to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
Another defendant, Dipikaben Patel, was deported to India after living illegally in Weymouth, Massachusetts, the Justice Department said.
Fake robbery organized to claim U visa
Prosecutors claimed that a scheme to organize armed robberies was carried out at convenience stores, liquor stores, and fast food restaurants in Massachusetts and elsewhere starting in March 2023.
During the incident, a participant posing as a robber threatened the clerk with what appeared to be a firearm and took cash from the register before running away while the encounter was captured on store surveillance cameras.
The clerk or store owner waited a few minutes before contacting police to report the incident.
Authorities said the robbery was staged so attendees could claim they had been victims of a violent crime while applying for U visas.
How does the U visa program work?
The U visa program allows victims of certain crimes who have suffered physical or mental abuse and assist law enforcement in their investigations to live and work legally in the United States.
We also offer a path to permanent residency, which allows eligible beneficiaries to apply for permanent residency after 5 to 10 years.
Investigators allege that the individuals involved in the scheme paid organizers to organize the robberies, and store owners were also compensated for allowing them to use their premises.
The alleged mastermind, the individual acting as the ‘robber’ and the getaway driver have previously been charged and convicted in connection with this incident.
If found guilty, the defendant could face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to USD 250,000.
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