BOSTON- An Indian national residing in New York has admitted to orchestrating nine fake armed robberies across multiple US states.
These staged crimes were part of a large-scale visa fraud scheme to help undocumented Indian immigrants remain in the country by abusing the U-Visa program.
Rambhal Patel, 37, pleaded guilty in a federal court to conspiracy to commit visa fraud, confirming he received payments, up to $20,000 per incident, from individuals posing as victims in these staged crimes, some of which occurred in Boston (BOS) and other cities.
U-Visa Fraud Scheme Uncovered
Rambhal Patel, a 37-year-old Indian national based in New York, pleaded guilty to orchestrating staged armed robberies at retail businesses across multiple American states.
These fake incidents were designed to allow undocumented workers, often store clerks, to claim victim status and apply for U-Visas, which provide legal residency to those who have suffered from criminal activity and cooperate with law enforcement.
Each fraudulent robbery was carefully planned. Patel would coordinate with store owners and illegal immigrants, fabricate a violent crime scenario using props like weapons and stolen cash, and ensure surveillance footage captured the act.
Store owners were paid to allow their premises to be used, while the supposed victims paid Patel up to $20,000 per incident.
Five of the nine known robberies occurred in Massachusetts, according to the US Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Number of Robberies | At least 9 staged robberies |
| Locations Targeted | Convenience stores, restaurants |
| Primary States Affected | Massachusetts (5), others unspecified |
| Payment per Robbery | Up to $20,000 per victim |
| U-Visa Benefit | Temporary legal status for victims cooperating with police |
| Co-conspirators Involved | Store owners, clerks, accomplices |
Legal Consequences
Patel entered his guilty plea before US District Judge Myong J. Joun in Boston on charges of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. His sentencing is set for August 20.
He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
His co-conspirator, identified as Singh, is expected to plead guilty on May 22. Both individuals are part of a growing number of cases exposing abuse within the U-Visa system.
In a related case in Connecticut, two Indian nationals, Birenkumar Patel and Laxitkumar Patel, were arrested for staging a false robbery in March 2024 to help an undocumented clerk secure a U-Visa.
Abuse of the U-Visa Program
The U non-immigrant status (U-Visa) was created by Congress in 2000 to encourage undocumented individuals to report crimes without fear of deportation.
It applies to victims of specific crimes such as assault, domestic violence, and kidnapping, provided they assist law enforcement.
However, this case demonstrates how the system can be exploited when fraudulent claims are supported by fabricated evidence.
Surveillance footage, false police reports, and coordinated testimonies were used to make these fake incidents appear legitimate.
Law enforcement agencies are now increasing oversight and verification processes to prevent further misuse.
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