Federal Grand Jury Indicts 10 Indian Nationals in Elaborate Visa Fraud Scheme
The United States Department of Justice has announced a significant development in a complex immigration fraud case, revealing that a federal grand jury in Boston has formally indicted ten Indian nationals. These individuals are accused of participating in a conspiracy to carry out staged armed robberies with the explicit purpose of fraudulently obtaining U visas, which are designated for victims of certain crimes.
Details of the Indictment and Defendant Status
All ten defendants were initially charged by criminal complaint in March 2026. According to the Justice Department's latest update, they had been released on conditions but now face severe legal consequences. Upon completion of any prison sentence imposed, each defendant is subject to deportation from the United States, as all are residing in the country unlawfully.
The list of indicted individuals, all with the surname Patel, includes:
- Jitendrakumar Patel, 39 – Unlawfully residing in Marshfield, Massachusetts
- Maheshkumar Patel, 36 – Unlawfully residing in Randolph, Massachusetts
- Sanjaykumar Patel, 45 – Unlawfully residing in Quincy, Massachusetts
- Dipikaben Patel, 40 – Deported to India after unlawfully residing in Weymouth, Massachusetts
- Rameshbhai Patel, 52 – Unlawfully residing in Eubank, Kentucky
- Amitabahen Patel, 43 – Unlawfully residing in Plainville, Massachusetts
- Ronakkumar Patel, 28 – Unlawfully residing in Maryland Heights, Mississippi
- Sangitaben Patel, 36 – Unlawfully residing in Randolph, Massachusetts
- Minkesh Patel, 42 – Unlawfully residing in Perrysburg, Ohio
- Sonal Patel, 42 – Unlawfully residing in Perrysburg, Ohio
The Staged Robbery and Visa Fraud Operation
The conspiracy centers on events beginning in March 2023, when one Rambhai Patel and his co-conspirators orchestrated staged armed robberies at a minimum of six liquor stores and fast-food restaurants across Massachusetts and other locations. The fraudulent scheme was designed to exploit the U visa program, which provides immigration benefits to victims of specific crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and have assisted law enforcement.
In this elaborate plot, Rambhai Patel collected payments from store staff members who sought U visas. These individuals would then be presented as victims during the fake robberies. Additionally, Rambhai Patel compensated store owners for allowing their establishments to be used as locations for the staged crimes. Rambhai Patel and his driver, Balwinder Singh, were subsequently convicted in May 2025 for their roles in the operation.
The ten newly indicted Patels are alleged to have either coordinated with Rambhai Patel to arrange individual robberies or paid fees to secure U visas for themselves or family members through this fraudulent process.
Legal Penalties and Case Background
The charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud carries substantial penalties, including a maximum sentence of up to five years in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Critically, as noted by authorities, all defendants will be subject to deportation following the completion of any imposed sentence.
This indictment represents a narrowing of the case from earlier charges. In March, eleven Indian nationals were initially charged, but the current grand jury indictment lists only ten. Notably absent from the latest list is 40-year-old Mitul Patel, who was unlawfully residing in Worcester, Massachusetts, indicating possible developments in the prosecution's strategy or individual case resolutions.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about immigration fraud and the exploitation of humanitarian visa programs, with federal authorities pursuing aggressive prosecution against those attempting to manipulate the system through criminal conspiracies.
