Authorities claim that the suspects organized fake heists to enable store clerks to falsely assert they were victims of crime in immigration applications for obtaining a Green Card.
The individuals charged are 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 facing one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud.
They were all living unlawfully across various US states like Massachusetts, Kentucky, and Ohio.
According to the Justice Department, Dipikaben was deported to India after illegally residing in Weymouth, Massachusetts.
Jitendrakumar, Maheshkumar, Sanjaykumar, Amitabahen, Sangitaben, and Mitul were arrested in Massachusetts and subsequently released after an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on Friday (March 13).
Rameshbhai, Ronakkumar, Sonal, and Minkesh were arrested and made their initial appearances in Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio. They are scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
Charging documents indicate that in March 2023, Rameshbhai and his associates orchestrated staged armed robberies at a minimum of six convenience and liquor stores, as well as fast food restaurants in Massachusetts and other locations.
The staged robberies allegedly aimed to enable the clerks involved to falsely claim victimization of a violent crime on applications for U non-immigrant status (U Visa).
A U Visa is granted to victims of specific crimes who have experienced mental or physical abuse and have assisted law enforcement in criminal investigations or prosecutions. It provides immigrant work authorization and a pathway to a Green Card within 5 to 10 years.
Authorities noted that during these staged robberies, the “robber” would allegedly threaten store clerks or owners with what appeared to be a weapon before taking cash from the register and fleeing, with the events captured on store surveillance cameras.
The clerks or store owners would wait five minutes or more after the “robber” escaped to report the “crime” to police. The “victims” are said to have compensated Rameshbhai for their participation in the scheme, and Rameshbhai, in turn, reportedly paid store owners for the use of their locations during the staged events.
Rameshbhai, along with the “robber” and getaway driver, has already faced charges and been convicted.
The eleven defendants charged on Friday are alleged to have either coordinated with the organizer to arrange each robbery or funded their or a family member’s participation as a “victim.” The conspiracy to commit visa fraud charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
