Eleven Indian nationals have been charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud related to staged armed robberies of convenience stores, according to a March 10 announcement by federal authorities in Boston.
The case involves allegations that the defendants participated in or arranged fake robberies so that store clerks could falsely claim they were victims of violent crimes on immigration applications for U non-immigration status, also known as U Visas. U Visas are available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered abuse and assisted law enforcement.
According to charging documents, the scheme began in March 2023 and involved at least six staged robberies at convenience stores and fast food restaurants in Massachusetts, with additional incidents elsewhere. During these events, a “robber” would threaten clerks or owners with an apparent firearm before taking cash from the register while being recorded on surveillance video. The clerks would then wait several minutes before calling police. Authorities allege that each participant paid Jitendrakumar Patel, one of the accused organizers, for involvement in the scheme, and Patel paid store owners for use of their premises.
Six defendants were arrested and appeared in federal court in Boston before being released. Four others were arrested and made initial appearances in Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio; they will appear later in Boston federal court. One defendant had already been deported to India after residing unlawfully in Massachusetts.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley said the investigation received assistance from multiple U.S. Attorney’s Offices across several states as well as various FBI field offices and local law enforcement agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elianna J. Nuzum and Jessica L. Soto are prosecuting the case.
The charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine if convicted. Authorities emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.