Staged Robberies and Visa Fraud: 11 Indian Nationals Charged in Massachusetts and Beyond
Federal prosecutors have charged 11 Indian nationals with conspiracy to commit visa fraud, alleging they participated in a scheme to stage armed robberies at stores to fraudulently claim immigration benefits. The scheme, which took place in 2023, involved creating false crime victims to support applications for U non-immigrant visas.
The Scheme Unveiled
According to federal prosecutors, the group conspired to carry out staged armed robberies at convenience stores, liquor stores and quick-food restaurants. The intent was to allow store clerks to falsely claim they were victims of violent crimes, thereby qualifying for a U Visa. A statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office explains that a U Visa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and have been helpful to law enforcement.
How the Robberies Were Staged
The FBI investigation revealed a consistent pattern in the alleged staged robberies. The “robber” would threaten store clerks or owners with what appeared to be a firearm, take cash from the register, and then flee. These interactions were captured on store surveillance video. Crucially, clerks and owners would wait five minutes or more before reporting the “crime” to police, ensuring the “robber” had time to escape. Hindustan Times details this modus operandi.
Key Players and Locations
Rambhai Patel is identified as the central figure who organized and carried out the staged robberies, and was previously charged and convicted. He allegedly paid store owners to allow the robberies to occur on their premises and accepted payments from individuals seeking to participate as “victims.”
The following locations in Massachusetts were involved in the scheme:
- Richdale Food Shops in Hingham (185 Lincoln St.)
- Super Mart in Randolph (1151 N. Main St.)
- Jimmy’s Market & Liquors in Randolph (1065 N. Main St.)
- Michael’s Wine & Spirits in Weymouth (461 Washington St.)
- Yogi’s Liquors in Marshfield (1852 Ocean St.)
- Austin Liquors in Worcester (370 Park Ave.)
The Defendants
The following individuals have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud:
- Jitendrakumar Patel, 39, residing in Marshfield
- Maheshkumar Patel, 36, residing in Randolph
- Sanjaykumar Patel, 45, residing in Quincy
- Amitabahen Patel, 43, residing in Plainville
- Sangitaben Patel, 36, residing in Randolph
- Mitul Patel, 40, residing in Worcester
- Dipikaben Patel, 40, deported to India after residing in Weymouth
- Rameshbhai Patel, 52, residing in Eubank, Kentucky
- Ronakkumar Patel, 28, residing in Maryland Heights, Missouri
- Minkesh Patel, 42, residing in Perrysburg, Ohio
- Sonal Patel, 42, residing in Perrysburg, Ohio
Jitendrakumar Patel, Maheshkumar Patel, Sanjaykumar Patel, Amitabahen Patel, Sangitaben Patel and Mitul Patel were arrested in Massachusetts and released after initial court appearances. Rameshbhai Patel, Ronakkumar Patel, Sonal Patel and Minkesh Patel were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio, respectively, and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. WJAR reports on the initial court appearances.
Potential Penalties
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The Department of Justice confirms these potential penalties.