11 Indian nationals charged in US over visa fraud

Public Lokpal
March 14, 2026

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11 Indian nationals charged in US over visa fraud

NEW YORK: Eleven Indian nationals, living illegally in the US, have been charged with visa fraud for conspiring to carry out staged armed robberies of convenience shops, according to US federal prosecutors.

Authorities said the suspects are accused of organising fake robberies for the purpose of allowing the store clerks to falsely claim they were crime victims on immigration applications towards getting a Green Card.

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 have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

The suspects had been residing unlawfully in several US states, including Massachusetts, Kentucky and Ohio. The US Department of Justice said Dipikaben Patel had already been deported to India after living unlawfully in Weymouth, Massachusetts.

Six of the accused — Jitendrakumar, Maheshkumar, Sanjaykumar, Amitabahen, Sangitaben and Mitul — were arrested in Massachusetts and appeared in federal court in Boston on Friday, after which they were released. The remaining defendants — Rameshbhai, Ronakkumar, Sonal and Minkesh — were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio and are expected to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to charging documents, in March 2023, Rambhai and his associates allegedly organised staged armed robberies at least six convenience stores, liquor shops and fast-food restaurants in Massachusetts and other locations.

Investigators allege the robberies were carried out to enable clerks present during the incidents to falsely claim they were victims of violent crime when applying for U non-immigrant status, commonly known as a U Visa.

A U Visa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and who have been helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. The U visa offers an immigrant work authorisation and a path to a Green Card within 5–10 years.

Authorities said that during the staged incidents, the “robber” would threaten store clerks or owners with what appeared to be a firearm, take cash from the register and flee while the interaction was recorded on surveillance cameras.

The clerks or store owners would then wait five minutes or more before contacting police to report the “crime.” Investigators allege the “victims” each paid Rambhai to participate in the scheme, while Rambhai in turn paid store owners to use their businesses for the staged robberies.

Rambhai, identified as the “robber,” along with the getaway driver, had previously been charged and convicted in connection with the scheme.

Prosecutors allege the 11 defendants either helped organise the robberies or paid to participate as a “victim” themselves or on behalf of a family member.

If convicted, the charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to USD 250,000.

PTI