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11 Indian nationals charged in U.S. visa fraud scheme
Prosecutors said staged robberies were used to support fraudulent U visa applications.
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Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 13, Mar 2026
- 15:34 EDT
- 70
Representative image / Consulate General of India in Russia
Eleven Indian nationals were charged in the United States for their involvement in a scheme involving staged armed robberies designed to falsely support immigration applications.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said the defendants used convenience stores and fast-food outlets to stage robberies so store clerks could claim they were victims of violent crime while applying for immigration benefits.
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Defendants were: Jitendrakumar Patel, 39, of Marshfield, Massachusetts; Maheshkumar Patel, 36, of Randolph, Massachusetts; Sanjaykumar Patel, 45, of Quincy, Massachusetts; Dipikaben Patel, 40, who was deported to India after previously residing in Weymouth, Massachusetts; Rameshbhai Patel, 52, of Eubank, Kentucky; Amitabahen Patel, 43, of Plainville, Massachusetts; Ronakkumar Patel, 28, of Maryland Heights, Missouri; Sangitaben Patel, 36, of Randolph, Massachusetts; Minkesh Patel, 42, of Perrysburg, Ohio; Sonal Patel, 42, of Perrysburg, Ohio; and Mitul Patel, 40, of Worcester, Massachusetts.
According to court documents, beginning in March 2023, organizer Rambhai Patel and his associates allegedly arranged staged robberies at at least six convenience stores, liquor stores and fast-food restaurants in Massachusetts and other locations.
Prosecutors allege the robberies were conducted so store clerks could falsely claim to be victims of violent crimes when applying for U non-immigrant status, commonly known as a U visa. The visa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and who assist law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting criminal activity.
Authorities said the staged incidents involved a “robber” threatening store clerks or owners with an apparent firearm before taking cash from a register and fleeing, while surveillance cameras recorded the event. The clerks or owners allegedly waited several minutes before calling police to report the robbery.
Investigators allege that individuals posing as victims paid Patel to participate in the scheme, while Patel paid store owners for the use of their stores to stage the incidents.
The alleged robber, the getaway driver and organizer Rambhai Patel were previously charged and convicted in connection with the scheme.
Federal authorities said six of the defendants—Jitendrakumar Patel, Maheshkumar Patel, Sanjaykumar Patel, Amitabahen Patel, Sangitaben Patel and Mitul Patel—were arrested in Massachusetts and released after initial appearances in federal court in Boston.
Rameshbhai Patel, Ronakkumar Patel, Sonal Patel and Minkesh Patel were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio and are expected to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
If convicted, the charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division, announced the charges. Authorities said multiple federal and local agencies assisted in the investigation.
Prosecutors said the allegations in the charging documents remain claims, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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