US jury indicts 10 Indians for visa fraud plot using staged robberies at convenience stores
Washington: A US jury has indicted 10 Indian nationals in connection with a conspiracy to carry out staged armed robberies at convenience stores for the purpose of allowing store clerks to falsely claim they were crime victims on immigration applications.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the defendants were previously charged by criminal complaint in March 2026 and released on conditions, a statement from the US Justice Department’s said. A federal grand jury in Boston has now charged the accused with conspiracy to commit visa fraud.
Among those charged, Rameshbhai Patel and Ronakkumar Patel have been taken into immigration custody. Authorities said that all defendants could face deportation upon completion of any sentence.
“This case stems from an investigation into Rambhai Patel, the organiser of the scheme, and getaway driver Balwinder Singh – both of whom were charged in December 2023 and later convicted in May 2025,” the statement read.
Investigators revealed that the group staged armed robberies at multiple convenience stores, liquor outlets, and fast-food restaurants across Massachusetts and other locations. The objective was to falsely portray store clerks as victims of violent crimes, enabling them to apply for U non-immigrant status (U Visa), which is reserved for genuine victims who assist law enforcement.
During the staged incidents, an individual posing as a robber would allegedly threaten clerks or owners with a firearm, steal cash, and flee, while the events were captured on surveillance cameras. The clerks and/ or owners would then wait five or more minutes until the alleged ‘robber’ had escaped before calling police to report the ‘crime’.
Authorities further disclosed that participants allegedly paid Rambhai Patel to be included in the scheme, while store owners were compensated for allowing their premises to be used. The indicted individuals are accused of either facilitating the fake robberies or paying to be listed as victims.
If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, fines of up to $250,000, and possible deportation, the statement said.
