A federal grand jury in Boston has indicted ten Indian nationals residing unlawfully in the United States on charges related to a conspiracy aimed at committing staged armed robberies at convenience stores to facilitate visa fraud.
These individuals were initially charged through a criminal complaint in March of this year.
The grand jury’s indictment includes a single count of conspiracy to perpetrate visa fraud, associated with the planned armed robberies intended to enable store employees to falsely assert victim status in their immigration applications.
The accused are identified as Jitendrakumar Patel, aged 39; Maheshkumar Patel, 36; Sanjaykumar Patel, 45; Dipikaben Patel, 40, who has since been deported to India after illegally residing in Massachusetts; Rameshbhai Patel, 52; Amitabahen Patel, 43; Ronakkumar Patel, 28; Sangitaben Patel, 36; Minkesh Patel, 42; and Sonal Patel, 42.
All ten individuals had previously faced charges via a criminal complaint and were released under specific conditions. However, Rameshbhai Patel and Ronakkumar Patel are currently in immigration custody.
According to the Justice Department, these defendants may face deportation after serving any imposed sentences.
This case originated from an investigation into a scheme orchestrated by Rambhai Patel and getaway driver Balwinder Singh, who were charged in December 2023 and later convicted in May 2025.
Charging documents reveal that in March 2023, Rambhai Patel and his associates conducted staged armed robberies at a minimum of six convenience stores, liquor stores, and fast-food establishments in Massachusetts and potentially other locations.
The alleged purpose of these staged robberies was to enable the clerks involved to falsely claim victimization from violent crime in applications for U Visas. During these incidents, it is claimed that the “robber” would threaten the store employees or owners with what appeared to be a firearm, demand cash, and then flee the scene, with the entire act being recorded by surveillance cameras.
After the supposed robber had escaped, the clerks or owners would reportedly wait several minutes before notifying law enforcement.
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