Boston [US], April 11 (HBTV): Ten Indian nationals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in connection with a conspiracy involving staged armed robberies of convenience stores to falsely support immigration applications, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
The accused have been identified as 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), and Sonal Patel (42). Authorities stated that while most of the accused were residing unlawfully in various parts of the United States, one had already been deported to India, and two others have been taken into immigration custody.
In a statement, the United States Attorney’s Office said all 10 defendants were previously charged by criminal complaint in March 2026 and released on conditions. Rameshbhai Patel and Ronakkumar Patel have since been taken into immigration custody.
The defendants are subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. The case stems from an earlier investigation into Rambhai Patel, the alleged organiser of the scheme, and getaway driver Balwinder Singh, both of whom were charged in December 2023 and later convicted in May 2025.
According to charging documents, in March 2023, Rambhai Patel and his co-conspirators carried out staged armed robberies at at least six convenience stores, liquor outlets and fast food restaurants in Massachusetts and other locations. The alleged objective was to allow store clerks to falsely claim they were victims of violent crimes while applying for a U non-immigrant status, also known as a U visa.
A U visa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and have assisted law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.
During the staged robberies, the ‘robber’ allegedly threatened store clerks or owners with what appeared to be a firearm, took cash from the register and fled, while the incidents were recorded on surveillance cameras. The clerks or owners would then reportedly wait several minutes before contacting police to report the incident.
Investigators allege that the ‘victims’ paid Rambhai Patel to participate in the scheme, while he, in turn, compensated store owners for the use of their premises.
The indictment alleges that the 10 accused either coordinated with Rambhai Patel to organise the staged robberies or paid for themselves or family members to participate as ‘victims’.
The charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to USD 250,000. The defendants are also subject to deportation following any sentence imposed.
United States Attorney Leah B Foley and Ted E Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, announced the indictment. The investigation involved multiple federal and state agencies across the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elianna J. Nuzum and Jessica L. Soto of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. (ANI)