Boston, May 21 — A 37-year-old Indian national living in New York has pleaded guilty to staging a series of armed robberies across multiple U.S. states to help others fraudulently obtain immigration benefits, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.
Rambhai Patel entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Myong J. Joun in Boston to one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for August 20.
According to court documents, Patel and his alleged co-conspirator, Balwinder Singh, staged at least nine robberies at convenience stores and restaurants—five of them in Massachusetts—since March 2023. The scheme was designed to simulate violent crime scenes, enabling participants to falsely claim victimhood and apply for U nonimmigrant status, commonly known as a U Visa, which is reserved for victims of serious crimes who assist law enforcement.
Federal investigators said surveillance footage from the staged incidents showed a fake assailant waving a weapon, stealing money, and fleeing. Victims, who paid Patel up to USD 20,000, were instructed to delay calling the police to make the events seem more realistic. Patel also compensated store owners who allowed their premises to be used.
“At least two fraudulent U visa applications were filed based on these orchestrated events,” said a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Patel was indicted in December 2023. Singh is expected to enter a guilty plea on May 22.
The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a USD 250,000 fine. Patel may also face deportation following the completion of his sentence.
The FBI and U.S. immigration authorities led the investigation, with support from local police departments in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
A U Visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa provided by the United States to victims of certain serious crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of those crimes.
It was created under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 to encourage undocumented immigrants to report crimes without fear of deportation.
Some key points about the U Visa:
- It is meant for victims of crimes like domestic violence, sexual assault, kidnapping, extortion, and armed robbery, among others.
- The applicant must have credible and detailed information about the crime.
- They must also assist law enforcement during the investigation or prosecution.
- U Visa holders may later apply for lawful permanent residency (green card) after meeting certain conditions.
In the case of Rambhai Patel, he staged fake armed robberies so that people could pretend to be victims of violent crimes, helping them apply for U Visas based on fraudulent claims.
