10 Indian nationals indicted in US for staged robbery visa fraud conspiracy

Ten Indian nationals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in a major visa fraud case involving staged armed robberies designed to obtain fraudulent US immigration benefits, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The accused allegedly conspired to fake armed robberies at convenience stores, liquor shops and fast-food outlets so that store clerks could falsely claim to be victims of violent crimes while applying for U non-immigrant visas, a special category meant for genuine crime victims who assist law enforcement investigations.

USCIS said the scheme was uncovered as part of a wider federal investigation into Rambhai Patel, identified as the organiser of the operation, and Balwinder Singh, the alleged getaway driver, both of whom were charged in December 2023 and convicted in May 2025.

The 10 indicted individuals are Jitendrakumar Patel, Maheshkumar Patel, Sanjaykumar Patel, Dipikaben Patel, Rameshbhai Patel, Amitabahen Patel, Ronakkumar Patel, Sangitaben Patel, Minkesh Patel and Sonal Patel. All have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

According to charging documents, the conspiracy dates back to March 2023, when staged robberies were allegedly carried out at at least six establishments in Massachusetts and other states. In each case, a fake robber reportedly entered the premises, threatened clerks or owners with what appeared to be a firearm, took cash from registers, and fled, all while being recorded on store surveillance cameras.

Investigators allege that after the staged incidents, the so-called victims deliberately waited several minutes before calling police, creating the appearance of genuine crimes. Prosecutors say participants paid Rambhai Patel to be included in the scheme, while he in turn paid store owners for use of their premises.

Federal authorities said some of the defendants arranged the fake robberies directly, while others allegedly paid for themselves or relatives to be listed as victims in order to support false U visa applications.

All 10 defendants were initially charged in March 2026 through criminal complaints and later released under conditions. Rameshbhai Patel and Ronakkumar Patel have since been taken into immigration custody. Dipikaben Patel has already been deported to India.

If convicted, each defendant faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $2,50,000, and deportation after completion of any sentence.

The case is being prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office in Boston, with assistance from multiple FBI field offices, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, state police, and local law enforcement agencies across several states. USCIS described its role as providing “pivotal assistance” in exposing the fraud network.