Eleven Indian nationals living illegally in the United States have been charged with conspiring to commit visa fraud through staged armed robberies of convenience stores, according to U.S. federal prosecutors. The scheme aimed to allow store clerks to falsely claim victim status for U visa applications.
According to a U.S. Justice Department statement, 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. All were living unlawfully in states including Massachusetts, Kentucky, and Ohio.
Dipikaben Patel was deported to India after residing unlawfully in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Jitendrakumar, Maheshkumar, Sanjaykumar, Amitabahen, Sangitaben, and Mitul were arrested in Massachusetts and released following initial appearances in federal court in Boston on March 13, 2026. Rameshbhai, Ronakkumar, Sonal, and Minkesh were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio and will appear in Boston federal court at a later date.
Charging documents state that in March 2023, Rameshbhai and co-conspirators staged armed robberies at least six convenience or liquor stores and fast food restaurants in Massachusetts and elsewhere. The purpose was to enable present clerks to falsely claim victimhood of a violent crime on applications for U nonimmigrant status (U visa). A U visa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and assisted law enforcement in investigations or prosecutions; it provides work authorization and a path to a Green Card within 5-10 years.
In the staged robberies, the “robber” threatened store clerks or owners with an apparent firearm, took cash from the register, and fled, with the interaction captured on store surveillance video. The “victims” waited five or more minutes after the “robber” escaped before calling police to report the “crime.” Each “victim” allegedly paid Rameshbhai to participate, and Rameshbhai paid store owners for using their premises. Rameshbhai, the “robber,” and the getaway driver were previously charged and convicted.
The 11 defendants are accused of either arranging each robbery with the organizer or paying for themselves or a family member to act as a “victim.” The conspiracy to commit visa fraud charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.