The US Justice Department said on Friday that 10 Indian nationals were indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for their alleged involvement in an “armed robbery” scheme at stores that allows shopkeepers to falsely claim victim status on immigration applications.
The accused was previously charged through a criminal complaint in March this year.
Prosecutors allege that these bogus robberies were carried out to allow vendors to falsely claim to have been victims of violent crimes when applying for nonimmigrant status or U visas. These visas are granted to individuals who have suffered mental or physical abuse as victims of certain crimes and who assist law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of those crimes.
According to the DoJ, the following individuals were indicted by a grand jury on one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud:
- Jitendrakumar Patel, 39, residing illegally in Marshfield, Massachusetts;
2. Maheshkumar Patel, 36, residing illegally in Randolph, Massachusetts;
3. Sanjaykumar Patel, 45, an illegal resident of Quincy, Massachusetts;
4. Dipikaben Patel, 40, deported to India after illegally residing in Weymouth, Massachusetts;
5. Rameshbhai Patel, 52, illegal resident of Eubank, Ky.;
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6. Amitabahen Patel, 43, illegal resident of Plainville, Massachusetts;
7. Ronakkumar Patel, 28, illegal resident of Maryland Heights, Miss.;
8. Sangitaben Patel, 36, illegal resident of Randolph, Massachusetts;
9. Minkesh Patel, 42, illegal resident of Perrysburg, Ohio; and
10. Sonal Patel, 42, illegal resident of Perrysburg, Ohio.
“All 10 defendants were previously charged on criminal charges and released on conditions. Rameshbhai Patel and Ronakkumar Patel were taken into immigration custody. The defendants are deported upon completion of any sentence imposed,” it said.
Staged “armed robberies” in 2023
The case stems from the investigation of Rambhai Patel, identified as the mastermind of the scheme, and Balwinder Singh, who acted as the getaway driver. Both were indicted in December 2023 and later sentenced in May 2025.
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According to court documents, Patel and his associates staged a series of staged “armed robberies” beginning in March 2023 that targeted at least six convenience stores, liquor stores and fast-food restaurants in Massachusetts and other locations.
The DoJ said: “Victims” allegedly paid Rambhai Patel to participate in the scheme. Rambhai Patel in turn paid shop owners to use their shops for the staged robbery.”
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“Organizer Rambhai Patel, the ‘robber’ and the getaway driver, Balwinder Singh, were sentenced in May 2025. The 10 defendants today are alleged to have either connived with Rambhai Patel to set up each robbery or paid for themselves or a family member to participate as a ‘victim,'” it said.
She argued that the felony count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Allegedly, the defendants may face deportation after the end of their sentence.
