13/03/2026
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13/03/2026
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BOSTON, Mar 13: U.S. authorities have charged 11 Indian nationals in connection with an alleged conspiracy to stage armed robberies at convenience stores and other businesses to fraudulently obtain immigration benefits under the U-Visa program.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud after investigators uncovered a scheme in which individuals allegedly posed as victims of violent crimes to support immigration applications.
Those charged include:
- 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
Authorities said six of the defendants were arrested in Massachusetts and appeared in federal court in Boston, while others were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio and are expected to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
Investigators allege that the scheme began in March 2023, when the suspects arranged and carried out staged armed robberies at convenience stores, liquor stores and fast-food restaurants in Massachusetts and other locations.
According to charging documents, during the staged robberies a participant posing as a robber would threaten store clerks or owners with what appeared to be a firearm before taking money from the cash register and fleeing. The incidents were often recorded on store surveillance cameras.
Clerks and owners allegedly waited several minutes after the robber left before calling police to report the incident. Prosecutors say the staged crimes were designed to allow participants to claim they were victims of violent crimes in order to apply for U non-immigrant visas, which are available to victims who assist law enforcement in investigations.
Authorities also allege that individuals seeking immigration benefits paid the organizer to participate as victims, while the organizer paid store owners for allowing their premises to be used for the staged robberies.
Officials said the alleged robber and getaway driver involved in the operation had previously been charged and convicted.
If convicted, the defendants could face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines of up to $250,000.
The case was announced by Leah B. Foley, U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division.
Authorities emphasized that the charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
