Ten Indian nationals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in connection with a conspiracy to stage armed robberies of convenience stores so that employees could falsely claim victim status on immigration applications.
The defendants were previously charged in a criminal complaint in March 2026. They were charged with conspiracy to commit fraud.
In a press release issued by the US Attorney’s Office, ten people were identified:
- Maheshkumar Patel (36) is illegally residing in Randolph, Massachusetts
- Sanjaykumar Patel (45) resides illegally in Quincy, Massachusetts
- Deepikaben Patel (40) was deported to India after staying illegally in Weymouth, Massachusetts
- Rameshbhai Patel (age 52) is illegally residing in Eubank, Kentucky
- Amitabaheen Patel (43) resides illegally in Plainville, Massachusetts
- Ronakumar Patel (28) is illegally residing in Maryland Heights, Mississippi
- Sanjeetaben Patel, 36, resides illegally in Randolph, Massachusetts
- Menkesh Patel, 42, resides illegally in Perrysburg, Ohio
- Sonal Patel, 42, is residing illegally in Perrysburg, Ohio
- Jitendrakumar Patel (39) is illegally residing in Marshfield, Massachusetts
The statement stated that all ten defendants had previously been charged with criminal charges and were released on conditions.
The case came to light after investigation into Rambhai Patel, the organizer of the scheme, and the getaway driver Balwinder Singh. Ramabhai carried out at least 6 armed robberies of convenience stores in Massachusetts and elsewhere.
The purpose of the theft was to allow the store employee/owner to claim that they were victims of a violent crime when applying for non-immigrant status (U Visa).
Also Read: Indians in US witness huge increase in online extortion and scams amid visa holders; Here’s what legal immigrants should do
Also Read: Indians in US witness huge increase in online extortion and scams amid visa holders; Here’s what legal immigrants should do
What is a U visa?
U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is intended for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are assisting law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting criminal activity.
How were the robberies committed?
The alleged robberies involved threatening the store clerk with an apparent firearm before taking cash from the register and fleeing. The incident was recorded on the store’s surveillance cameras.
The “victims” allegedly paid Rambhai Patel to participate in the scheme, and then paid store owners to use their stores in staged robberies.
While Ramabhai was organizing the alleged robbery, Balwinder Singh was the getaway driver. The 10 accused accused allegedly either arranged with Rambhai Patel to commit a robbery, or paid for themselves or a family member to participate as a “victim”.
Read also: Canada warns that perpetrators of visa fraud face five-year ban
In the United States, charges of conspiracy to commit visa fraud can result in a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine ( $2 Crores)
U.S. Attorney Lea B. Foley and FBI Boston Officer Ted E. Dukes prosecuted the case, with support from numerous federal agencies and local police departments.
