BOSTON — Eleven Indian nationals have been charged in connection with a conspiracy that allegedly staged armed robberies at convenience stores so clerks could claim they were crime victims on immigration applications.
According to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice in Massachusetts, the following defendants were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud:
Jitendrakumar Patel, 39, unlawfully residing in Marshfield, Massachusetts
Maheshkumar Patel, 36, unlawfully residing in Randolph, Massachusetts
Sanjaykumar Patel, 45, unlawfully residing in Quincy, Massachusetts
Dipikaben Patel, 40, deported to India after unlawfully residing in Weymouth, Massachusetts
Rameshbhai Patel, 52, unlawfully residing in Eubank, Kentucky
Amitabahen Patel, 43, unlawfully residing in Plainville, Massachusetts
Ronakkumar Patel, 28, unlawfully residing in Maryland Heights, Missouri
Sangitaben Patel, 36, unlawfully residing in Randolph, Massachusetts
Minkesh Patel, 42, unlawfully residing in Perrysburg, Ohio
Sonal Patel, 42, unlawfully residing in Perrysburg, Ohio
Mitul Patel, 40, unlawfully residing in Worcester, Massachusetts
Authorities arrested Jitendrakumar Patel, Maheshkumar Patel, Sanjaykumar Patel, Amitabahen Patel, Sangitaben Patel and Mitul Patel in Massachusetts. They were released after making their initial appearances in federal court in Boston.
Officials arrested Rameshbhai Patel, Ronakkumar Patel, Sonal Patel and Minkesh Patel in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio. They are expected to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to charging documents, the scheme began in March 2023 when Rambhai Patel and co-conspirators allegedly organized staged armed robberies at at least six convenience stores, liquor stores and fast-food restaurants in Massachusetts, with additional incidents elsewhere.
Prosecutors say the purpose of the staged robberies was to allow store clerks to apply for U non-immigrant status, also known as a U Visa. The visa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and have helped law enforcement investigate or prosecute criminal activity.
During the staged robberies, the alleged “robber” would threaten store clerks or owners with what appeared to be a firearm, take cash from the register and flee while the incident was captured on store surveillance video. Investigators say clerks and store owners would wait at least five minutes after the suspect left before calling police to report the robbery.
Authorities allege the clerks paid Patel to participate in the scheme, and Patel in turn paid store owners to allow their businesses to be used for the staged robberies.
Officials said the alleged robber and getaway driver involved in the scheme were previously charged and convicted. The 11 defendants charged in the latest case are accused of either arranging the staged robberies with the organizer or paying for themselves or a family member to take part as a supposed victim.
If convicted, the charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley and Ted Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston Division, announced the charges. Multiple federal and local agencies assisted with the investigation.
Authorities emphasized that the allegations remain charges at this stage, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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