10 Indian Nationals Indicted in US for Staged Robbery Visa Fraud Scheme
The United States Justice Department has announced that a federal grand jury in Boston has indicted 10 Indian nationals in connection with a conspiracy to carry out staged armed robberies to fraudulently obtain U visas. All individuals were previously charged by criminal complaint in March 2026 and were released on conditions. The department confirmed that all 10 are now subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed, as they are unlawfully residing in the United States.
Details of the Indicted Individuals
The following individuals have been indicted in this case:
- Jitendrakumar Patel, 39: Unlawfully residing in Marshfield, Massachusetts
- Maheshkumar Patel, 36: Unlawfully residing in Randolph, Massachusetts
- Sanjaykumar Patel, 45: Unlawfully residing in Quincy, Massachusetts
- Dipikaben Patel, 40: Deported to India after unlawfully residing in Weymouth, Massachusetts
- Rameshbhai Patel, 52: Unlawfully residing in Eubank, Kentucky
- Amitabahen Patel, 43: Unlawfully residing in Plainville, Massachusetts
- Ronakkumar Patel, 28: Unlawfully residing in Maryland Heights, Mississippi
- Sangitaben Patel, 36: Unlawfully residing in Randolph, Massachusetts
- Minkesh Patel, 42: Unlawfully residing in Perrysburg, Ohio
- Sonal Patel, 42: Unlawfully residing in Perrysburg, Ohio
Background of the Armed Robbery and Visa Fraud Case
The conspiracy dates back to March 2023, when one Rambhai Patel and his co-conspirators staged armed robberies at a minimum of six liquor stores and fast food restaurants across Massachusetts and other locations. The primary objective of these staged incidents was to enable staff members present during the robberies to obtain U visas by claiming to be victims of a violent crime.
A U visa is specifically designed for victims of certain crimes who have endured mental or physical abuse and have assisted law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting criminal activities. In this elaborate scheme, Rambhai Patel collected payments from store staff who required visas to participate in the staged robberies. Additionally, he compensated store owners for allowing their establishments to be used as locations for these fraudulent incidents.
Rambhai Patel and his driver, Balwinder Singh, were convicted in May 2025 for their roles in the conspiracy. The 10 recently indicted Patels either collaborated with Rambhai Patel to arrange the robberies or paid for themselves or family members to secure U visas through this illegal method.
Legal Consequences and Updates
The charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud carries severe penalties, including a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Furthermore, all defendants are subject to deportation following the completion of any imposed sentence.
It is noteworthy that in March, 11 Indian nationals were initially charged in this case. However, the latest indictment lists only 10 individuals. Mitul Patel, 40, who was unlawfully residing in Worcester, Massachusetts, is not included in the current list of indicted persons.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by US authorities to combat immigration fraud and ensure the integrity of visa programs designed to protect genuine victims of crime.
