US charges 11 Indians for staging fake robberies to obtain U category visas

Prosecutors say the scheme was designed to exploit the U visa programme, which offers protection and a path to a Green Card for victims of certain crimes.

In Short

• 11 Indians charged in US for staging fake armed robberies to get visa benefits
• Scheme aimed to exploit U visa programme for legal residency and work rights
• Conviction may lead to 5 years jail, supervised release and fines up to $250,000

As many as 11 Indian nationals living illegally in the United States have been charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud after allegedly staging armed robberies at convenience stores in an attempt to secure immigration benefits, US federal prosecutors said.

According to the United States Department of Justice, the accused allegedly organised fake robberies so that store clerks could falsely claim they were victims of violent crimes while applying for immigration relief.

The individuals charged 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), Sonal Patel (42) and Mitul Patel (40).

Authorities said all were residing unlawfully in various states, including Massachusetts, Kentucky and Ohio.

ARRESTS ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES

Six of the accused – Jitendrakumar, Maheshkumar, Sanjaykumar, Amitabahen, Sangitaben and Mitul – were arrested in Massachusetts and appeared in federal court in Boston on Friday before being released.

Rameshbhai, Ronakkumar, Sonal and Minkesh were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio and are expected to appear before a federal court in Boston at a later date.

Another accused, Dipikaben Patel, was deported to India after unlawfully residing in Weymouth, Massachusetts, the Justice Department said.

FAKE ROBBERIES ORGANISED TO CLAIM U VISAS

Prosecutors alleged that beginning in March 2023, a scheme was carried out in which staged armed robberies were organised at convenience stores, liquor shops and fast-food outlets in Massachusetts and other locations.

During these incidents, a participant posing as a robber would threaten store clerks with what appeared to be a firearm, take cash from the register and flee while the encounter was captured on store surveillance cameras.

The clerks or store owners would then wait several minutes before contacting police to report the incident.

Authorities say the robberies were staged so that those present could claim they had been victims of violent crimes while applying for a U visa.

HOW THE U VISA PROGRAMME WORKS

The U visa programme allows victims of certain crimes who have suffered physical or mental abuse and who assist law enforcement in investigations to live and work legally in the United States.

It also offers a pathway to permanent residency, with eligible recipients able to apply for a Green Card after five to ten years.

Investigators allege that individuals participating in the scheme paid an organiser to stage the robberies, while store owners were also compensated for allowing their premises to be used.

The alleged organiser, the individual who acted as the “robber,” and a getaway driver had previously been charged and convicted in connection with the case.

If convicted, the defendants could face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to USD 250,000.

- Ends
With agency inputs