Fake robberies for green cards? 11 Indians charged in US visa fraud case

US federal prosecutors have charged eleven Indian nationals living illegally in the United States with conspiracy to commit visa fraud. Authorities said the group allegedly organised staged armed robberies at convenience stores and restaurants so that store clerks could falsely claim to be victims of crime and apply for immigration benefits.

According to the US Justice Department, the accused include Jitendrakumar Patel, Maheshkumar Patel, Sanjaykumar Patel, Dipikaben Patel, Rameshbhai Patel, Amitabahen Patel, Ronakkumar Patel, Sangitaben Patel, Minkesh Patel, Sonal Patel and Mitul Patel. They were residing unlawfully in different states, including Massachusetts, Kentucky and Ohio.

Explained: What is the U visa in the United States and who qualifies for it


Prosecutors said the suspects took part in a scheme designed to misuse the U non-immigrant visa programme. A U Visa is granted to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and who assist law enforcement authorities in investigating or prosecuting criminal activity. The visa allows work authorisation and can provide a path to a Green Card within five to ten years.

Investigators allege that beginning in March 2023, the organiser Rambhai and others arranged staged robberies at at least six convenience stores, liquor stores and fast-food restaurants in Massachusetts and other locations. During the incidents, a person acting as the robber allegedly threatened clerks or store owners with what appeared to be a firearm, took cash from the register and fled while the events were recorded on store surveillance cameras.

Authorities said the clerks or store owners would wait several minutes after the robber left before contacting police to report the incident. Prosecutors allege the individuals involved then used the reports to support applications claiming they were victims of violent crime.

Investigators also said the people posing as victims paid Rambhai to participate in the scheme. Rambhai in turn allegedly paid store owners to allow their businesses to be used for the staged robberies. Rambhai, the person who carried out the robberies and the getaway driver were charged and convicted earlier.

Among the eleven accused, Jitendrakumar, Maheshkumar, Sanjaykumar, Amitabahen, Sangitaben and Mitul were arrested in Massachusetts and appeared in federal court in Boston on Friday before being released after their initial appearance. Rameshbhai, Ronakkumar, Sonal and Minkesh were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. Dipikaben was deported to India after authorities found she was living unlawfully in Weymouth, Massachusetts.

According to prosecutors, the defendants either arranged the staged robberies with the organiser or paid to participate as victims themselves or on behalf of family members.

The charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud carries a possible sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to USD 250,000, according to the Justice Department.

with inputs from PTI