11 Gujaratis charged in US over staged robberies to secure immigration benefits

As many as eleven Indian nationals, all believed to be from Gujarat, have been charged in the United States for allegedly taking part in a conspiracy to stage armed robberies at convenience stores so that store clerks could falsely claim to be crime victims while applying for immigration benefits, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said.

According to the DOJ, the accused allegedly participated in fake robberies where a “robber” would threaten clerks or store owners with what appeared to be a firearm before taking cash and fleeing the scene. The incidents were deliberately captured on store surveillance cameras to make the crimes appear genuine.

Authorities said the clerks or owners involved in the scheme would wait several minutes after the “robber” left before calling the police to report the incident. The staged robberies were then used to support applications for U non-immigrant status (U Visa), which is meant for victims of certain crimes who assist law enforcement in investigations.

“Defendants allegedly participated in staged armed robberies so that ‘victims’ could apply for immigration benefits,” the DOJ said in a statement.

Investigators alleged that the scheme was organised by Rambhai Patel and his associates beginning in March 2023. At least six convenience stores, liquor stores and fast-food outlets in Massachusetts were targeted as part of the staged incidents, with more suspected elsewhere.

The DOJ said the “victims” allegedly paid Patel to be included in the scheme, while store owners were also paid for allowing their premises to be used for the fake robberies.

Those charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud 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).

Several of the accused 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 before the Boston federal court at a later date.

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