11 Indians charged in US for staging robberies in visa fraud scheme

11 Indians charged in US for staging robberies in visa fraud scheme

Mangalore Today News Network

New York, Mar 14, 2026: Eleven Indian nationals living illegally in the United States have been charged with visa fraud for allegedly conspiring to stage armed robberies at convenience stores, according to US federal prosecutors.

Authorities said the suspects organised fake robberies to allow store clerks to falsely claim they were victims of violent crime in immigration applications in an attempt to obtain a Green Card.

Those charged 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). They have each been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

The accused were living unlawfully in various US states, including Massachusetts, Kentucky and Ohio.

According to the US Department of Justice, Dipikaben Patel has already been deported to India after being found unlawfully residing in Weymouth, Massachusetts.

Jitendrakumar, Maheshkumar, Sanjaykumar, Amitabahen, Sangitaben and Mitul were arrested in Massachusetts and later released after appearing before a federal court in Boston on Friday.

Rameshbhai, Ronakkumar, Sonal and Minkesh were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

Charging documents state that in March 2023, Rambhai and his associates allegedly planned and carried out staged armed robberies at at least six convenience stores, liquor stores and fast-food restaurants in Massachusetts and other locations.

Investigators said the fake robberies were arranged so that store clerks could claim they were victims of violent crime while applying for a U non-immigrant visa (U Visa).

A U Visa is granted to victims of certain crimes who have suffered physical or mental abuse and who assist law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting criminal activities. It allows recipients to work in the US and provides a pathway to a Green Card within five to ten years.

Officials said that during the staged robberies, a person posing as the robber would threaten store clerks or owners with what appeared to be a firearm, take cash from the register and flee the scene while the incident was recorded on store surveillance cameras.

The clerks or store owners would then wait several minutes before calling the police to report the alleged robbery.

Authorities claim that the supposed “victims” paid Rambhai to participate in the scheme, while Rambhai in turn paid store owners to use their premises for the staged robberies.

Rambhai, along with the individual who acted as the robber and the getaway driver, had previously been charged and convicted.

Prosecutors said the 11 defendants charged on Friday either helped arrange the staged robberies or paid to participate in the scheme themselves or on behalf of family members as the supposed victims.

If convicted, the charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.