- By Priyanka Koul
- Sat, 14 Mar 2026 11:15 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
US: Eleven Indian nationals have been arrested in the United States for allegedly living in the country illegally and conspiring to commit visa fraud by staging armed robberies at convenience stores, according to US federal prosecutors.
Authorities said the suspects allegedly orchestrated fake robberies to help store clerks falsely claim they were victims of violent crimes while applying for immigration benefits, including a green card, according to a PTI report.
The accused have been identified as 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). All of them have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud.
According to officials, the individuals were residing unlawfully in several US states, including Massachusetts, Kentucky and Ohio. One of the accused, Dipikaben Patel, was deported to India after unlawfully residing in Weymouth, Massachusetts, the United States Department of Justice said in a statement.
Among the 11 individuals, Jitendrakumar, Maheshkumar, Sanjaykumar, Amitabahen, Sangitaben and Mitul were arrested in Massachusetts and later released after making their initial appearance in federal court in Boston on Friday. Rameshbhai, Ronakkumar, Sonal and Minkesh were arrested in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio, where they made their initial court appearances. They are expected to appear before a federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to charging documents, in March 2023, Rambhai and his alleged co-conspirators organised and carried out staged armed robberies at at least six convenience stores, liquor shops and fast-food outlets in Massachusetts and other locations. Investigators said the purpose of these staged robberies was to allow store clerks present during the incidents to falsely claim they were victims of violent crime while applying for a U non-immigrant status, commonly known as a U visa.
Authorities further alleged that the defendants either coordinated with the organiser to stage each robbery or paid money for themselves or family members to participate as supposed ‘victims’.
What Is 'U-Visa'?
The United States offers the "U-Visa", which is granted to individuals who have been victims of serious crimes and who cooperate with law enforcement investigations. It is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and who have been helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. Moreover, the U visa offers an immigrant work authorisation and a path to a green card within 5-10 years.
Investigators said that during the alleged staged robberies, the "robber" would threaten store clerks or owners with what appeared to be a firearm before taking cash from the register and fleeing, while the entire incident was recorded on store surveillance cameras. The clerks or store owners would then wait several minutes after the "robber" had left before contacting the police to report the "crime".
Under US law, the charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud carries a possible sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of 250,000 dollars, which is equivalent to around Rs 2.31 crore.