Ten Indian Nationals Indicted for Visa Fraud

Ten Indian nationals, including Jitendrakumar Patel, Maheshkumar Patel, Sanjaykumar Patel, Dipikaben Patel, Rameshbhai Patel, Amitabahen Patel, Ronakkumar Patel, Sangitaben Patel, Minkesh Patel, and Sonal Patel, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for conspiracy to commit visa fraud. The scheme involved staging armed robberies at convenience stores to allow clerks to falsely claim victim status for U Visa applications. Rambhai Patel, the organizer, and Balwinder Singh, the getaway driver, were previously charged and convicted. The indicted individuals allegedly arranged with Rambhai Patel or paid to participate as 'victims'. The charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and deportation. The investigation involved multiple U.S. Attorney's Offices and FBI Field Offices, along with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations.