Ten Indian nationals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to stage armed robberies in order to fraudulently obtain immigration benefits, federal prosecutors said on April 9.
The accused 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), and Sonal Patel (42), residing across multiple US states.
All ten had earlier been charged through a criminal complaint in March 2026 and were released with conditions. Authorities said two of them—Rameshbhai Patel and Ronakkumar Patel—are currently in immigration custody and could face deportation following any conviction.
According to prosecutors, the alleged scheme began in March 2023 and involved staging robberies at several convenience stores, liquor outlets, and fast-food restaurants in Massachusetts and other locations. The objective was to falsely claim victimhood in violent crimes to qualify for U non-immigrant status, commonly known as a U visa.
A U visa is granted to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement authorities in investigations or prosecutions.
Investigators said that in these staged incidents, an individual posing as a robber would threaten store clerks or owners with what appeared to be a firearm, take cash, and flee the scene. The incidents were often recorded on surveillance cameras, while those posing as victims allegedly delayed reporting the crimes to police.
Authorities further revealed that participants paid an alleged organiser, Rambhai Patel, to be part of the scheme. Store owners were also reportedly compensated for allowing their premises to be used for the staged robberies.
Rambhai Patel, identified as the key organiser, along with an alleged robber and getaway driver Balwinder Singh, had been charged earlier in December 2023 and were convicted in May 2025.
The newly indicted individuals are accused of either facilitating the fake robberies or paying to be listed as victims for themselves or their family members.
Each of the accused faces a charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
Federal officials noted that the allegations are yet to be proven in court, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty.